Obama was already in Chicago on Tuesday for a long-planned speech to the venerable Economic Club of Chicago that is closed to the public. He opened his remarks at the climate conference by embracing Emanuel onstage, then praising him. “This is my hometown, so I hope Rahm has been as good of a host as he was a chief of staff, and as good as he has been a mayor,” Obama said. “Thank you, Rahm, for your outstanding leadership.”