POSTED: Monday, April 4, 2011 - 4:15pm
UPDATED: Monday, April 4, 2011 - 4:16pm
WASHINGTON —
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama re-election campaign is officially under way.
In an email to supporters, the president says he's filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. And he directs them to a new campaign website, where a video features
clips from supporters.
Obama says it's always been clear that "lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily."
Republicans have been quick to react to Obama's announcement.
The Republican National Committee is circulating a research document accusing Obama of failing to lead on the budget and entitlement spending.
Obama's announcement was planned to coincide with the second fundraising quarter of the year. He'll be able to start raising money in earnest for what backers say could be a record-breaking haul of more than $1 billion for his campaign.
In the coming weeks, he's slated to visit major money venues of Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.