I agree with your implicit point - what can he really do? - but he WAS presented as the man who would solve the problems of the Middle East by his sheer wisdom and charisma, and that his charm and wisdom would suddenly make the Arabs love us now that the evil and stupid Bush was gone.
Thats definitely true. His lemming supporters actually believed all the worlds problems would disappear with a magical (teleprompter) speech by him.
Those who voted for him, of all ages, would always go nuts after one of his speeches. Ask them what he said and they had no idea.