Obama Announces 2012 Reelection Bid with YouTube Video

President Barack Obama has announced his 2012 reelection campaign bid, formally placing himself in the running for a second term. The announcement came via a YouTube video posted to the campaign website BarackObama.com.

The video features individuals professing their desire to be involved in the Obama 2012 campaign effort. "The last couple of elections we've had have almost been turning point campaigns," said one participant identified as "Ed." Another interviewee, identified as Gladys says, "I'm kinda' nervous about it, it's coming, here it is, 2012 - the election."

"I just saw the energy and hope that he had for this country," says "Mike," "even though I couldn't exactly vote at the time I knew that someday I'd be able to help re-elect him."

"Unfortunately, President Obama is one person - plus he's got a job. We're paying him to do a job so we can't say, 'Hey, could you just take some time off to get us all energized?' So, we've got to figure it out," says "Alice."

The video ends on a blue screen with white text saying, "It begins with us," and unveiling the Obama 2012 campaign logo, which incorporates the red, white and blue "O" from the 2008 campaign.

The announcement, while not unexpected, marks the formal beginning of Obama's run for a second term. The campaign will file formal papers today with the Federal Election Commission, allowing them to raise money towards what may be the first $1 billion campaign effort.

Today, we are filing papers to launch our 2012 campaign.We're doing this now because the politics we believe in does not start with expensive TV ads or extravaganzas, but with you -- with people organizing block-by-block, talking to neighbors, co-workers, and friends. And that kind of campaign takes time to build.So even though I'm focused on the job you elected me to do, and the race may not reach full speed for a year or more, the work of laying the foundation for our campaign must start today.We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. It never does. But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made -- and make more -- we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest.As we take this step, I'd like to share a video that features some folks like you who are helping to lead the way on this journey. Please take a moment to watch:

In the coming days, supporters like you will begin forging a new organization that we'll build together in cities and towns across the country. And I'll need you to help shape our plan as we create a campaign that's farther reaching, more focused, and more innovative than anything we've built before.We'll start by doing something unprecedented: coordinating millions of one-on-one conversations between supporters across every single state, reconnecting old friends, inspiring new ones to join the cause, and readying ourselves for next year's fight.This will be my final campaign, at least as a candidate. But the cause of making a lasting difference for our families, our communities, and our country has never been about one person. And it will succeed only if we work together.There will be much more to come as the race unfolds. Today, simply let us know you're in to help us begin, and then spread the word: http://my.barackobama.com/2012

Thank you, Barack, Paid for by Obama for America

The formation of a reelection committee will allow Obama to begin collecting cash for what is expected to be the most expensive campaign in political history. Obama raised $750 million in 2008 and is widely expected to meet or exceed that total in 2012.

Already Obama campaign manager Jim Messina has been touring the country to meet with major donors; he has asked 400 major donors to each collect $350,000 in 2011, a target that, if met, would mean that Obama would end the year with $140 million raised - before a single vote was cast in the race for Republican presidential nomination.

Among Republicans, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty (who responded with a web video of his own Monday), former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer and businessman Herman Cain have formed presidential exploratory committees.

Obama is not expected to say anything publicly about the incorporation of his reelection committee today although Vice President Biden will be in New Hampshire, a swing state, today for an event with Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Sources:

Chris Cillizza, The Fix, Political News & Analysis, The Washington Post Politics,

Emi Kolawole, Obama announces 2012 reelection bid (video), The Washington Post Politics