Just hours after the president commuted his sentence, the ex-governor seemed more like a campaigning pol working a rope line than a disgraced ex-convict.
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Ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks with a well-wisher as he signs a baseball after he arrives at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Tim Boyle/For the Sun-Times
Except for the mop of gray hair, it was as if nothing had changed.
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was laughing and joking with TV reporters Tuesday night after his release from federal prison, thanks to President Donald Trump, and his return home to Chicago.
Before his flight, he was chatting with fans on the Denver airport people mover train. He gladly took selfies, even with the TV reporter sitting next to him on his flight.
He was defiant. He was grateful. He’s now “a Trumpocrat.”
And he kept telling reporters, staying on message, he’ll have more to say Wednesday — at a news conference outside his Northwest Side home that he’s already scheduled.
He’s shed weight. His lustrous dark mane has gone gray. But he’s lost none of the political skill that got him elected Illinois governor twice.
Just hours after Trump commuted his sentence, Blagojevich seemed more like a campaigning pol working a rope line than a disgraced ex-convict who had just spent eight years in prison.
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He entered a scrum of reporters and television cameras as he left O’Hare Airport at Chicago.
Before he got into a waiting vehicle, the well known Cubs fan paused to sign a baseball and a photograph of himself in a Cubs jersey.
“Appreciate you guys, thank you very much,” he said. “What were your names again?” And then, “Thanks buddy, appreciate you.”
His security urged him repeatedly, it was time to go. But Blagojevich, as he often did at campaign appearances, decided to linger, if only for a bit.
Sam Charles
✔@samjcharles
Rod Blagojevich is home. @Suntimes
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12:28 AM - Feb 19, 2020
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At his Ravenswood home, he was greeted with a similar scene a little after midnight, as he made his way through a throng of reporters and a handful of supporters, who had milled around the family home for several hours before his return.
Escorted by two security guards, the former governor was shuffled into his home, but not before thanking a few supporters and pressing a little flesh.
He told reporters he was looking forward to reuniting with his family.
He went inside and at long last, he was home.:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19729376/BLAGO_021920_02_copy.jpg)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich greets supporters outside the family’s Ravenswood Manor home early Wednesday morning after being released from a Colorado prison on Tuesday. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Except for the mop of gray hair, it was as if nothing had changed.
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was laughing and joking with TV reporters Tuesday night after his release from federal prison, thanks to President Donald Trump, and his return home to Chicago.
Before his flight, he was chatting with fans on the Denver airport people mover train. He gladly took selfies, even with the TV reporter sitting next to him on his flight.
He was defiant. He was grateful. He’s now “a Trumpocrat.”
And he kept telling reporters, staying on message, he’ll have more to say Wednesday — at a news conference outside his Northwest Side home that he’s already scheduled.
He’s shed weight. His lustrous dark mane has gone gray. But he’s lost none of the political skill that got him elected Illinois governor twice.
Just hours after Trump commuted his sentence, Blagojevich seemed more like a campaigning pol working a rope line than a disgraced ex-convict who had just spent eight years in prison.
RELATED
President frees imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich — now a grateful ‘Trumpocrat’
Before Trump spared Blago, Clinton went to bat for Rosty and Reynolds
After he’s released from prison, is it too much to hope Blago will fade away quietly?
A decade after company created Blago shampoo, conditioner, they’re still on tap
Free Blago movement got unlikely boost from Chicago police union
He entered a scrum of reporters and television cameras as he left O’Hare Airport at Chicago.
Before he got into a waiting vehicle, the well known Cubs fan paused to sign a baseball and a photograph of himself in a Cubs jersey.
“Appreciate you guys, thank you very much,” he said. “What were your names again?” And then, “Thanks buddy, appreciate you.”
His security urged him repeatedly, it was time to go. But Blagojevich, as he often did at campaign appearances, decided to linger, if only for a bit.
Sam Charles
✔@samjcharles
Rod Blagojevich is home. @Suntimes
32
12:28 AM - Feb 19, 2020
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Sam Charles's other Tweets
At his Ravenswood home, he was greeted with a similar scene a little after midnight, as he made his way through a throng of reporters and a handful of supporters, who had milled around the family home for several hours before his return.
Escorted by two security guards, the former governor was shuffled into his home, but not before thanking a few supporters and pressing a little flesh.
He told reporters he was looking forward to reuniting with his family.
He went inside and at long last, he was home.
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich greets supporters outside the family’s Ravenswood Manor home early Wednesday morning after being released from a Colorado prison on Tuesday. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
I'm sure he'll be able to snag a job as a political reporter,at the very least
ReplyDeleteJust heard his speech on the front porch, 🙄 I thought it was Nelson Mandela, Please make him go away!
ReplyDeleteCNN awaits
ReplyDelete