Once again, Ohio could be the state that decides the presidential election.

Aside from its 20 electoral votes, Ohio historically picks the winner, and the state’s Republican delegation was seated down front Thursday for Sen. John McCain’s acceptance speech.

“McCain desperately needs Ohio, desperately needs it,” said political analyst Jene Galvin.

He said McCain and his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, would likely make multiple campaign stops before the Nov. 4 election.

“Obama it may be more defensive, and with McCain it's got to be offensive,” Galvin said.

Recent polling shows Obama with a projected lead of 238 electoral votes to McCain’s 174, but 126 electoral votes remain up for grabs in states that remain too close to call – including Ohio.

“People who know politics will say Ohio is very diverse politically,” Galvin said.

That makes the state a difficult one to campaign in, he said.

Galvin suggested that Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain’s running mate, could campaign in small towns in eastern and central Ohio, and Obama could focus on urban areas in Cleveland.

He said the race could be decided on personality issues, particularly the perceptions of voters in the central parts of the state.

“They'll squeeze as many votes out of there as they can, squeezing them every one,” Galvin said.