TULLAHOMA (AP) — Bill Haslam has ramped up his travel schedule now that the legislative session is over, attending ribbon-cutting events, delivering grant checks and discussing education policy over pizza.

The crowds attending his events have been overwhelmingly supportive of the first-year Republican governor, but Haslam says the trips aren't meant to be a reprise of last year's campaign — or a victory lap around the state.

"Two years of campaigning was a long time, and I was worn out by it," Haslam told The Associated Press after handing out a ceremonial check in Winchester last week.

But Haslam said he sees value in getting out and meeting people — even if he doesn't need to worry yet about asking for their vote in 2014.

"There is a benefit from being out talking to people," he said. "You a have lot of conversations that are very, very helpful."

Getting outside of Nashville and the state's other larger cities helps keep a wider perspective, Haslam said.

"The issues are different," he said. "Small-town issues are very different, and economic development is a much bigger challenge."

Haslam said the people he meets most often want to talk about jobs and unemployment.

The governor said the heavy emphasis on education changes during the recently completed legislative session also led to a lot of questions, including a discussion with educators over pizzas and Diet Cokes in Oak Ridge.

A Vanderbilt University poll sponsored by The Tennessean released in June found that most voters approve of the job Haslam is doing as governor, but a majority didn't agree that his teacher tenure changes will better schools or support his cap on lawsuit damages.

Nevertheless, the governor has come across few vocal critics in his travels.

"Obviously the people who show up to events tend to be people who like what you're doing — but not always," he said.

In a speech to the Rotary Club in Fayetteville, Haslam joked that people may have revised their position on him since he was elected in November.

"The thing you learn about elections is after it's over, everybody voted for you — I can't figure out why I didn't get 100 percent of the vote," he joked.

Among the governor's fans was 71-year-old Lawrence Fowler, who attended a ribbon cutting event at Tims Ford State Park. Fowler congratulated Haslam on his performance so far, and encouraged him to seek higher office.

"I told him he could run for president in my book," he said.

Searcy Couch Hopkins, 88, caught up with the governor after an event in Tullahoma.

"I told him I was glad to meet him and that I was a longtime Republican," she said. "I think he's doing a great job."

Eugene London Jr., president of the Tullahoma Chamber of Commerce, praised Haslam's personal style.

"He's very friendly and very approachable, and he tends to take time out for just the common person," London said.

And it isn't just Republicans who come out to see Haslam when he comes to town.

"I like the governor, I think he's a good man," said Bob Peters, 72, a Winchester attorney and lifelong Democrat. "Of all the Republicans, he's the best we could expect. He is a temperate voice."

But not everyone was as excited to see the governor. Mark Clark watched the Winchester ceremony from a shaded area outside a café on the town square. He said he was indifferent about who runs the state because he sees little effect on working people.

"It doesn't matter who's in charge, we just always end up with the short end of the stick," said Clark, 49, who works in logging and construction. "I have to go to work every day, and it feels like it just gets rougher and rougher."