Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2012

On April 4, 2011, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, formally announced his re-election campaign for 2012. He is expected to be opposed by a candidate from the Republican Party and candidates from other parties, in an election scheduled for Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
Obama's campaign headquarters are in Chicago and key members of Obama's successful 2008 campaign, such as Jim Messina and David Axelrod, are returning to staff it. On the day of the announcement, the campaign released a promotional video showing supporters of Obama organizing for the re-election effort. As The Guardian newspaper noted, this was the first U.S. presidential re-election campaign to use Twitter and Facebook for promotion.


After the 2008 presidential election, Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. During his presidency, Obama signed two pieces of economic stimulus - the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009 and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 in December 2010. As President, Obama also signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Obama signed New START, an arms control treaty with Russia, began to gradually withdraw troops from Iraq, began to increase troops in Afghanistan, and enforced the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone over Libya. On May 1, 2011, President Obama ordered the military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
Following the 2010 Midterm Elections there was a lot of speculation about the details of the President's reelection campaign. There were many who speculated that his campaign would raise more than one billion U.S. dollars.


Announcement
On April 4, 2011, President Obama officially announced his candidacy for re-election. If re-elected, it would be his second and final term. The announcement was made via an online video titled "It Begins With Us", posted on his campaign website. The President also filled out official forms with the FEC on April 4.

President Obama did not face a significant challenge in the Democratic primaries, with no other candidate even being on the ballot in all but seven states. On April 3, 2012 Obama won the Maryland and District of Columbia primaries, giving him more than the required 2778 delegates to secure the nomination.