Views mixed in key election state

By Sima Kotecha
Newsbeat US reporter, in Akron, Ohio

John McCain and Sarah Palin at a rally in the vital state of Ohio

If you want to win the keys to the White House - you'd better win in Ohio.

The Buckeye State, as it's called - because of the many native buckeye trees that once covered its hills and plains - is a key swing state in next month's presidential election.

Some people even call it a bellwether state. Put simply - historically, who wins this one gets to be president.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain know it: that's why over 50,000 TV ads for the two men have been screened here since the campaign started.

But still they keep coming back. Obama's visited 23 times and McCain an even keener 30.

Newsbeat visited a bar in Akron, Ohio to take voters' temperature as they face this political blitz from the two hopefuls.

First up, 22-year-old Audrey - who's looking miserable. It turns out with good reason.

"I can't afford to drink liquor, you know. I drink Patron - which is $11 a shot.

"I can't really afford to so I'm going to have grenadine and Sprite with lime."

It's real bad. We don't have any work right now. Audrey, Ohio voter

She claims the economic downturn has meant no booze for her. America's fragile economy is causing her a lot of pain.

"I work in the automotive industry and it's real bad. We don't have any work right now."

In the land of the car, things must be bad.

Here in Ohio, people are feeling the effects of the financial crisis more so than in other parts of the country.

Job losses

The state has the sixth highest unemployment rate nationwide and since George Bush became president, 230,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost.

Like many, Audrey wants the new man in charge to get America back on track: "We know McCain isn't going to get us out of it and Obama, well he has little experience, but we really have no choice at this point."

But across the bar from her, the mood is different.

26-year-old Mary Fisher is celebrating a night on the town with her mate, sipping a banana martini. She's voting for John McCain because because of his views on abortion.

I just believe the quality of life is important for the unborn and I think it's an important issue Mary, Ohio voter

She said: "I just believe the quality of life is important for the unborn and I think it's an important issue and I'm religious, so I believe that."

Ohio is a critical state for McCain because no Republican has even won the presidency without winning here.

In the last 11 US elections, Ohio has voted for the winner.

But at the moment, the Republicans are losing their grip and Barack Obama is catching up in the local polls.

The Democrat has spent the past five days campaigning across the state. The two men clearly believe the showdown in Ohio is worth it.

Audrey says: "I don't know what Obama's going to do but he better get in there and do something."