PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ohio Governor Ted Strickland kicked off a busy day of politicking in Portsmouth Wednesday with a rally for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Strickland spoke to a crowd of about 150 Democrats at the union hall across the street from Portsmouth High School, where presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain spoke later that day.

"When it comes to the policies of George Bush, the candidate across the street is John McSame," Governor Ted Strickland told the local media after the event.

Strickland calls Ohio the most crucial state in the union for this November's election. He says Democrats are in the fight for their life in southern Ohio. Strickland says Obama will be in southern Ohio to campaign before November.

Strickland was a staunch supporter of Obama's past opponent, Hillary Cilnton. He even appeared at the infamous "Shame on you Barack Obama" press conference Mrs. Clinton held before the Ohio primary.

However, Strickland says the landscape changes in the general election and Democrats shift gears in the general.