Rick Scott was little more than a speck in the distance, but Cole Mehone, 38, stood weighted down by his backpack at the far edge of the VIP section, straining to hear every word the newly sworn-in governor had to say. The out-of-work accountant had hitchhiked from Panama City to Tallahassee, without a ticket or money to buy one -- to see his first inauguration, yes, but more important, to honor the man he believes is going to jump-start his stalled life.

"If Rick Scott is going to put more jobs out there, then I'm going to support him," Mehone told me. "It's kind of a symbolic thing, me coming here today. I don't know, I had to do it."

Mehone called the trip "no big deal" because he got lucky when the first ride he caught was from a tractor-trailer driver headed straight into the state capital.

"Here's the thing," he said. "I believe Rick Scott. He's different. When he says he's going to create 700,000 jobs, I don't think he's talking bull, I think he'll come through, I really do."

Mehone's inauguration-arrival style -- traveling by thumb -- probably was unique. But his reason for attending the celebration was not. I interviewed more than two dozen guests -- donors, friends, legislators, inauguration staff, local folks. And I never found a single soul, Democrat or Republican, who wanted a return to the status quo, who didn't share Scott's No. 1 goal of creating jobs, who wasn't ready for a change in how state government does business.

Few talked about Scott's personality. Liking him, not liking him -- not an issue, they said. The real message they were sending was this: Scott promised jobs, he promised to turn Florida's recessed economy around. We believe he's the man who can pull it off.

Joel Kidd from Marathon, retired executive, Chrysler Motors:  "We've been saying for years we need a CEO governor.  We've finally got one. Watch Florida go now, watch us build jobs and compete with the world."

Rep. Marti Coley, R-Mariana: “What a speech, did you hear it? So optimistic. Gov. Scott clearly has heard from so many that business owners are frustrated with the bureaucracy and permitting processes.”

Mike Palecki, general counsel, Agency for Persons With Disabilities: "I'm a big supporter of Rick Scott, have been from the beginning. I think he's going to do great things for Florida. I think this is going to be a day we'll remember for a long time."

George and Liz Foote, Miami: "This governor is going to be so good for Florida. He's going to shape things up. Our economy needs changing and I'm convinced he's the man to do it."

George Markward from Winter Springs, political consultant: "Jobs -- people need jobs, and I have every confidence that Rick can be Florida's savior."

Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando: "I know jobs are priority No. 1. But I'm encouraged that Governor Scott wants to do something to stop filling up our prisons with drug addicts. The answer to the drug problem is education. Florida must invest in education. I'm hopeful Gov. Scott will put a big emphasis on funding education."

Barney Bishop, president, Associated Industries of Florida: "Trust me on this, Rick Scott is going to be a fantastic governor who will change the state radically, and all for the better. He served on our board for two years; I know what he can do. This is all very exciting."

Vinny Angiolillo, Collier County candidate for sheriff in 2012: "I've known Rick a long time. I supported and endorsed him on his website from the beginning. I can promise you that he will do everything possible to remove corruption from state government, and he will downsize Florida bureaucracy the right way, by consolidating departments. This is all stuff he knows how to do -- watch him work."