Fla. a 'swing state' in 2012 election

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Florida has played a historical role in recent presidential elections.

In 2008, President Obama beat John McCain to take this state by a very small margin, and the latest polls show him with a slight lead over former Governor Mitt Romney.    

With 29 electoral votes up for grabs, that's a nice chunk of change toward the magic number of 270 needed to win, and both candidates are working hard to earn it.

More than 11 million voters call Florida home. And across the state, campaign staffers were calling those homes.

With the margin close in the sunshine state, Florida is a possible toss-up in next month's election.

Jarod Workman with the Mitt Romney campaign said, "Florida has chosen nine of the last 10 presidents that have won the election."

Lumon May from Obama for America said, "I think that the effects that are being put forth in Florida are really gonna decide who the next president is."

Staffers on opposing sides are making the calls, knocking the doors and registering voters.

And both sides feel Wednesday's debate will be crucial.

"Who has the right plan for jobs, jobs, jobs,” said May.

Workman said, "I think that's what part of the debates is gonna do, is gonna help (voters) see here's what's different. There's no gray area in some of these issues."

Northwest Florida is a heavy Republican area, but Obama holds a lead in this state. A good debate performance could be a big push for either candidate this Wednesday.

The latest Florida poll came from Gravis Marketing, based out of Winter Springs.

The pollsters found Obama holds a tiny lead, at 49 percent, while Mitt Romney has 48.4 percent.

We'll have to keep watching those numbers over the next month.

Also, Senator John McCain will be holding a meet and greet at the Fish House in Pensacola on Tuesday at 2:45 p.m.