Washington (CNN) One of the most remarkable moments on the campaign trail this week was one that didn't happen. Former Miss Universe Alicia Machado introduced Hillary Clinton at a Florida rally Tuesday, blasting Donald Trump. And for once, the billionaire didn't react. No tweets. No attacks from the stump. Nothing. Instead, he stayed on message going after Clinton on her email server while pledging to repeal Obamacare. In the final days of the 2016 campaign, Trump isn't taking Clinton's bait. The new self-discipline comes as the election tightens and polls indicate a razor-close race in battleground states such as Florida, New Hampshire and Colorado. On the stump Wednesday night in Florida, Trump revealed how he is focused on staying disciplined and how hard it is for him.Trump isn't taking Clinton's baitTrump at Wednesday rally: 'We've got to be nice and cool, nice and cool, right?'
A different _ source used a baseball analogy to describe Trump and why he is exhibiting the self-control many thought he didn't have. This source says _'s refrain in private was that's what makes him different -- people view him as real, even if he is off the mark sometimes. That gave _ a reason to focus where he should -- on his political opponent. It also gave him hope that he actually could win, especially since even before news of the review surfaced, _'s advisers were showing him data suggesting polls were narrowing in some must-win battleground states. Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus is another force with _ often pushing him to stay on message. Another source tells CNN what _'s trusted traveling advisers do now is encourage him to get his frustration, anger or off-script thoughts out of his system before he gets on stage. But even in the face of evidence that his lack of self-control often causes his campaign to spiral downward, _ seemed impervious to pleas from his advisers to stop. Yet for almost a week, _ has shown he is in fact capable of being disciplined.