Rahm Emanuel, the “tiny dance” ex-ballerina mayor of Chicago, gave us all a peek into his knowledge about that city and his unbound affection for whom he called “Chicago’s favorite son,” Barack Obama.

Rahm suggested that one of Chicago’s airports be renamed for President Obama.  After all, he quipped, the two airports are named after battleships.

The suggestion and the accompanying observations by the mayor of Chicago are startling.

Maybe Rahm thinks Lake Shore Drive was named after that song from the ’70s and that Lincoln Park was named for where those big cars from Ford are kept.  In fact, Midway Airport is named after the pivotal battle in the Pacific theater, June 3, 1942.  O’Hare Field was named after “Butch” O’Hare, Pacific war ace and Medal of Honor winner.  (Far be it for Rahm to know that battleships are named only after states.)

Emanuel’s command of basic knowledge about Chicago is suitable for a Water’s World or Jay Leno “Jaywalking” episode.

As for Obama being a “favorite son” of Chicago, one might expect that such person actually be able to pronounce the ballpark of his favorite team, or perhaps name a player or two.  A couple of decades of sporadic residence, sprinkled with visits to an America-hating reverend, seem curious qualities for “favorite son” status.