JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- On a chilly day last January, Jay Nixon laid out a new vision of Missouri. Faced with a collapsing national economy, he was determined to change business as usual.

"The general tone in Jeff City, we've been able to change,” Nixon said. “I think that's good. We're not replicating Washington anymore. This isn't a hyper-partisan place the way it was when I came in. It's certainly people getting along with each other, regardless of party.”

A more congenial tone has not necessarily translated to bi-partisan policy. For example, Nixon could not convince House Republicans to back a plan to use private hospital money and federal funds to finance health care for the poor.

"It was a significant disappointment,” Nixon said. “I just hate to think that, this year, 35,000 people that get up each day and work, that are working minimum wage jobs, don't have health care and are worried right now, this Christmas, because a Republican House wasn't able to get that measure across the line.”

Together, the Nixon’s have probably spent more time in Jefferson City than any other first couple in state history. 

First lady Georganne Nixon grew up here. And the governor has been here more than two decades, serving in the Senate and as Attorney General. But he said it was not until he was elected governor last year that he really learned what it means to listen to people.

"They sometimes feel it might be the only chance they get in their life to stand and front of and talk to the state,” Nixon said. “And I've really been surprised at how prepared people are for their moment to talk to the governor.  They have something to say.”

First Lady Georganne Nixon said the governor's office has brought out the best traits in her husband.

Log on tomorrow for more from the Nixons and First Lady Georganne Nixon on the role of "First Lady" has given her a new perspective on a lot of things.