He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.S.S.S. He was elected to the U. Senate in 2003. He has written two bestselling books: a memoir of his early life in Honolulu, Hawaii..S. Since announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence, and providing universal health care as his top three priorities.Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. As a member of the Democratic minority in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. presidential election