The nation is all too familiar with Florida's importance in presidential elections.

From the moment the late NBC political analyst Tim Russert eschewed modern television graphics by picking up a simple marker board and underlining the word "Florida" on it during the night of the 2000 presidential election, Americans have known the significance of Florida's electoral power.

Florida's 2000 electoral votes took a full month and a Supreme Court ruling to sort out, eventually giving Florida and the presidency to George W. Bush. Thousands of hanging chads and two presidential elections later, Florida is once again a key battleground state.

Polls show Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama in a close battle for Florida's 27 electoral votes.

Historically, Florida has leaned to the right. It has voted Republican in 11 out of the last 14 presidential elections, the last Democratic victory being in 1996 by President Bill Clinton.

Florida is crucial to a McCain victory. Any breakdown of the electoral map that does not include a McCain victory in Florida will make the election very difficult for the Republican. If Obama is able to turn Florida blue it could seal his victory.

However, the state appears to be leaning to the right once again. Rasmussen Reports shows several key polls that give McCain the advantage. He is viewed favorably by 61 percent of Florida voters to 55 percent for Obama.

43 percent of voters are not at all comfortable with the idea of Obama being president, while only 30 percent say the same about McCain.

But perhaps most tellingly, if voters were faced with the toughest decision of their lives, 51 percent said they would rather ask McCain for advice, while 42 percent would choose Obama.