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Governor Rick Scott was elected to his first elective office, the Governorship of Florida, one year ago this week. Much of the last year has been on the job training. His successes, and there have been some, are due in part to the Governor’s discipline.

Rick Scott is an early riser, disciplined about daily exercise, and disciplined about his diet.  “I like grapes. I like pecans,” he tells us as he sits down to breakfast in the private quarters in the Governor’s Mansion.

He is also disciplined about his message and how he sees his role as Governor. Throughout the day he repeated it often.

“Don’t Let government do anything to cause it to go up.”

“Make sure children and students can get an education.”

“Three, make sure people can get a job.”

During ten hours we spent with Scott at the mansion and in his office, he showed us he is nothing if not focused. At least three times during the day he championed education as a job creator, but last year he cut school spending. Scott says he had no choice. “We had a deficit last time, we have a deficit this time, so, my goal is that we don’t have any education cuts.”

And at this hour long meeting with the Black Caucus, Scott rebuffed legislators seeking more judges of color. “I believe in diversity.But the other side is, get good people to apply,” Scott told the lawmakers.

He also told them his choices and their choices are limited. “What I’m not going to do is appoint people who think differently than I do about being just activists and think that they’re the legislature.”

You think you can work with them?” we asked.  “We’ll find out.”

Scott’s now sporting button down shirts instead of suits, spending more time with reporters, and is more relaxed in public. But being more open hasn’t so far translated to significantly better approval numbers. We asked why. “I think I’m willing to make the tough choices. And change other’s people.”

We also saw Scott’s staff is as loyal as he is disciplined. Scott truly likes the job, saying its the first time he’s ever had a contract. This one expires in three years.

Scott has already said he will seek re-election, and new poll numbers show that if the race was a repeat against Alex Sink, it would be just as close as it was a year ago.