Blagojevich Leaves His Chicago Home Wednesday, Returns To Work (VIDEO)

From the Chicago Tribune:

Gov. Rod Blagojevich left his Ravenswood Manor home on Chicago's North Side this morning without addressing the charges against him.

At 8:18 a.m., the governor left by an entrance on the alley at the side of the home. He carried a briefcase, waved briefly to reporters assembled across the street, got into a black sport-utility vehicle and drove off.

WGN-TV reporter Marcella Raymond reported the governor was believed headed for work.

Shortly after 8 a.m., the governor's two daughters and his wife, Patti, got into separate cars and drove off.

Today is Blagojevich's 52nd birthday.

From the AP:

A short time later, Blagojevich's SUV arrived at his office at the state office building. The vehicle pulled into an underground garage, driving past the mass of photographers gathered outside.

Watch Blagojevich leave his house:

Story continues below

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Watch Patti Blagojevich leaving with her daughters:

Comments

[themodernleader]

A half century ago politicans ran for office to serve the public interests as they saw fit. If there was a personal consideration it was for the need to be recognized and respected. The modern bunch of politicians, trained in manipulative psychology and Machavelli craft a strategy and campaign to win election of promises that have no relationship to the self serving votes cast for themselves and their sponsors.
As we enter an economic collapse and a great depression the leaders of this nation have their own power uppermost as they cast their votes. The public interests are secondary or incidential. Can we turn around America in its slide towards self destruction? That is the question.

[Galt907]

To all of you so quick to call for his resignation: Should he resign because he's accused of doing something wrong,whether he did anything wrong or not? I, personally have not been privileged to see the evidence against him: Perhaps that's because all of you have incredible pull with the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois . . . I do not. If he did what he is accused of doing, he belongs in prison for his own protection, because he is too dumb to be outside of some institution. Nonetheless, as a University Professor of Law in the State of Illinois, although he does appear to be a wart on the nose of Democrats, I will not convict him based upon the newspapers, television, or even you bloggers of whom I am one.

[sammy cole]

I think the reason for the calls for for Blag to resign is because with THIS cloud over his head...he can not conduct the business of the people at this time. He placed himself in this position after 'the people' voted him into his position. Although he not guilty until proven so....this is an elected position and because of his own foolishness and greed he should do the right thing and resign rather than waste precious time, at this time......continue to rattle the nerves of people in Illinois..­....sittin­g around waiting for his own impeachment. His foolishness and greed caused this. And to think ....his sites were on as President of the United states in the future. SHAME on THIS little man.

[sammy cole]

I hear ya as a Professor of Law. But as a citizen, a human being....what say you?

[Danigirl65]

As a citizen of Illinois, I agree with him.

[anghiari]

Galt907...how self-righteous of you...but Gov B lives in a Democracy...he will get his day in court...none of us have to have pull, we got just a taste of the transcript detailing some of the Gov B work on behalf of the people of Illinois...of course he did what he is accused of doing...were you on sabbatical the past 8 years...you are skeptical that someone this dumb could be Governor..­.please...­.read Bob Woodward's "The War Within"...the complete incompetence of George Bush Jr. is writ large throughout this book...and the people who worked for him to chose not to deliver or even try to deliver bad news...says alot about Obama needing smart people who will be ready to debate him on an issue.

[Danigirl65]

I agree with you, Galt. Just like I refuse to believe JJJ is #5 until I hear the evidence myself. Today's media is guilty of yellow journalism - reporting of opinion instead of fact - I'll believe it when I see the evidence for myself.

[2351]

The sad thing is that we have a bunch of these jokers in the USA representing the people. This guy is just stupid. What is this world coming to. Who are the people supposed to trust. How did this guy get to be a governor? How did Sarah Palin get to be a governor? Who is really looking out for us? No, not Bill O.

[Emlyn]

If this wasn't so serious, it would make a great movie!

[illinoisan]

The screenplay wouldn't get picked up because it would be too over-the-top. Blago's dialogue would be particularly amateurish.

[greysells2]

Just what the US needs to improve its image abroad and to impress other counties with American style democracy. You know, the democracy that Mr. Bush is selling to the Muslim world. mr. Reagan's shining light on a hill. A big thanks to Cunningham, Jefferson, Blag, Cheney, et al. How about a Medal of Freedom for them?

[AZterritory]

Hey Huffpost, when I click on "Politics" all I get is "Blagojevich". Maybe it needs to be relabelled "Blagojevich"?

[Harpseal60]

He was caught doing something illegal and unethical. Why is he back on the job?
Where I come from, you get fired and escorted out of the building for something like that. He will most likley spend the next couple of days shredding evidence of what he tried to do.

Of course Jesse Jr. is candidate 5 ...

Politicians are a lot like kids, they will lie to get themselves out of trouble. We need to start expecting more honest behavior from our elected officals. As long as they continue to get away with this stuff, they will continue to do it.

Here is one idea for keeping our future politicans honest...I think they all should be made to wear a modified shock collar that gives them a shock when they tell a lie or do something that they know is wrong. Not enough to hurt them badly, just enough to cause them discomfot and wet themselves. HA! We would be able to spot the liars pretty easily then.

[justoverit333]

oh yeah and he's got some emails
to delete as well.

[justoverit333]

I think this guy is probably a little
mentally ill. seriously. he's having
a meltdown.

[mamala4]

If being narcissistic, greedy and self-centered is mentally ill, then perhaps you may be right but none of those are in the texts as mentally ill, just what they are.

[VOTER]

Call and ask the IL Gov to resign.

1-800-642-3112

or

1-217-782-0244

[franklin opt]

Will we get an update when he goes out for lunch?

[scoochman]

I'm so happy I got out of Illinois with my life after only 3 awful weeks of living there. Most expensive lesson of my life but well worth it. People there are ra.cist nu.ts!

[VOTER]

Not true.

Please tell us where you live now.

[brand X]

Talk about broad brushing an entire state. I lived there many years ago after I immigrated from France and found the people to be the same as everywhere else. And I find Chicago to be one of the world's best cities (and I've lived in several).

[dollyblue]

I've lived in 3 different cities in IL, including Chicago and downstate. It's no more racist and no worse than any other place I've lived or spent a grand total of 3 weeks.

[BabsfromKansas]

I see he still has that dea.d raccoon on top of his head.

[LiberalUnderYourBed]

OMG! ROFLMAO! Priceless!

[TallGrrl]

Does this man have ANY sense of shame?
Or sense?
He knew he was doing wrong, and got in front of cameras and said "go ahead, tape my conversations!"
He should go to jail for being corrupt....AND STUPID.
He could've given a second thought just this one time seeing as how this could reflect badly on the former senator, now president-elect.
If he'd had a moment, just a moment when he wasn't thinking about only himself...just a short moment when he could'be put his own petty greedy desires away and thought about the country.
But no.
Greedy b a s t a r d. Go to jail NOW. Do NOT pass Go,,,do NOT collect ANYTHING except your orange jumpsuit.
Pinche vato bamboso.

[JMBrodie]

Hey makes Gary Hart look smart.

[denholt]

I can understand the interest in Blago's wife, as she apparently is heard on the tapes. But why the daughters? They are 12 and 5 years old. Their lives will be hard enough in the years to come. Don't post videos/pictures of them. Seriously.

[JMBrodie]

Thanks. Good post.

[chewie2008]

"Only use the phone for ordering food"-classic

[dollyblue]

Like other articles, there's no mention of the fact that the state capital is Springfield - not Chicago - but one might not know by watching Rod. One of the many reasons Blago's approval rating is so dismal is that he's acted like it's not the state of Illinois, it's the state of Chicago. Most anyone you'd talk to outside Chicago and the collar counties feels like he's thumbed his nose at the rest of the state. He's probably spent far less time (proportionally) in Springfield than Palin has in Juneau.

[liberalrebuttal]

Why doesn't he live in the Governors Mansion ?

[dollyblue]

See my other comment :-)

[mphalen]

Have you ever been to Springfield?

[anniecl]

I just called Blago's office 217 782 0244 and suggested he resign for the good of the country.

[westreal]

I think The Coif knows every soul in the country want him to resign. He knew the FBI was investigating him so I don't think a phone call at this point will help. lol

[TallGrrl]

"The Coif"...LOL!
Out here in Nevada, Ensign is called "The Hairdo".
What is it with these guys?!
LOL!!

[liberalrebuttal]

I just called too and when they said

"Governors office?"

I said.

"Yeah uh, he needs to resign......bye"