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President Obama Starts His Re-Election Campaign

By Marcella Glenn

President Obama on Monday started his re-election campaign with a video posting. A short video on BarackObama.com launched his bid for re-election.

"It begins with us," the campaign told supporters that it has started and the race for contributions is on.

Blue "O" over red and white stripes is back again for 2012. The bottom of the web site: the candidates' names are clearly identified: OBAMA-BIDEN.

Obama sent an e-mail to supporters to alert them that he plans to file papers Monday with the Federal Election Commission.

"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," Obama's e-mail message.

The president is making his campaign official earlier than is usual for an incumbent so he can begin fundraising in a season that's likely to shatter all records.