Chicago:
Ousted Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich apologized for his "blacker than Barack Obama" remarks, on Tuesday, saying what he said was "stupid" and that he was only expressing frustration at the way the administration is dealing with the country's financial and health care crisis.
In an interview to
Esquire magazine, Blagojevich, who was impeached last year on charges that included that he tried to sell Obama's vacant senate seat, has said, "I am blacker than Barack Obama. I shine shoes".
"I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundro-mat in the black community not far from were we lived. I saw it all growing up," he had said.
He then apologized for his remarks in a press conference he held outside his house in Chigaco.
"I want to apologize for the stupid comments that I made in an Esquire magazine article. What I said was stupid, stupid, stupid. I was speaking metaphorically," he told reporters.
He said he would be happy to reach out to the President and White House "and apologize to who ever. I will be happy to do that. If it is feasible. I do not know if the phone call will be accepted".
"Obviously I am not blacker than Barack Obama. If anyone is offended, I deeply apologize for the way that it was said and for having said it," he said.