CHICAGO – Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich embraced the public spotlight one last time Wednesday, claiming on the day before he reports to prison that he always believed what he did was legal and expressing faith that an appeal of his corruption convictions will succeed.

The famously talkative Blagojevich seemed to relish the attention while speaking to a throng of TV cameras, reporters and well-wishers outside of his Chicago home.

The spectacle – which seemed part farewell, part campaign rally – took place less than 24 hours before he was due to arrive at a Colorado prison to begin serving a 14-year sentence. He was convicted on 18 counts during two trials, including charges he tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat.