That's exactly the perception I have of those I know who voted for Obama. Their vote was not really about their country or for that matter even about Obama himself at all. It was about celebrating themselves & enhancing their own view of themselves. Voting for Obama was merely the paternalistic means to the self-serving end of reaching around to pat themselves on the back to congratulate themselves on how virtuous they are for voting for an "African-American" - though ironically they are too racist to see realize he isn't really an authentic A-A, he only looks a little like one! I actually had an in-law admit this to me out loud, albeit unwittingly. She just wanted to be able to vote for a black man to make her feel good, never bothering to trouble her mind that if this nation's first President of color were not to turn out to be a good President how that might adversely impact real african-americans in this country. She could care less about A-A's! It's all about her & her vote for Obama was, as you suggested, an exercise in pure unadulterated naricissim.
Your observations and mine are totally in sync! A dismal reality, but people are people and I sometimes write it off like that Seinfeld exchange: “Elaine: What is WRONG with people? Jerry: They’re the WORST.” I do have hopes, however, that our fellow citizens arouse from their torpor sooner than later. Regards.