Barrack Obama came into the national scene during the 2004 presidential election. As most of American snoozed at the thought of John Kerry winning the democratic nomination, here was someone that captured the imagination of the liberal wing of his party, but the question is why?

Obama’s emergence on the national scene was stunning, but perhaps less so for the speech he gave than his timing. Obama made his national debut during a dark period for the Democratic Party. Bush had won the controversial 2000 presidential election, and his party had also gained control over congress. Republicans had passed massive tax cuts that included huge benefits to the rich, and the United States had entered into two foreign conflicts with Republicans seen as the party of the armed forces. The Democrats seemed rudderless if not obsolete.

Obama was a flash of bright light amid this ugliness. His speech seemed to be on the level of Bill Clinton or other well regarded public speakers. The content of his speech mattered far less than his stage presence. Obama looked presidential during the speech, but he offered nothing radically different than other figures in his party.

Why did Obama inspire people then? Part of his appeal was his race. African American make up a large portion of the voting base of the Democratic Party. The brutality of the African American experience in the United States made electing someone with black skin part of the healing process.

Obama energized the base because he looked the part. He was a fresh looking face. He looked like change. And he embraced the role to help get elected. But just as when he burst on the scene in 2004, Obama’s look outpaced the content of his ideals.

Republicans portrayed Obama as a dangerous liberal with socialist leanings and as an Islamic sleeper agent. When looking at Obama’s resume and reading the words that made up his agenda, Obama is revealed to be similar to other Democrats. His agenda never approached radicalism. He only looked the part of something new and different.