US president Barack Obama today opened his 2012 re-election campaign with a website announcement and e-mails and text messages to supporters.
"This campaign is just kicking off," a short announcement said on barackobama.com. "We're opening up offices, unpacking boxes and starting a conversation with supporters like you to help shape our path to victory. 2012 begins now."
The video on the site featured supporters from around the country discussing their support for the Democratic president.
Political observers expect the Obama campaign to raise an unprecedented $1 billion for the race.
Several Republicans are considering running against Mr Obama but have not made their candidacies official. Early polls show the president leading potential Republican rivals.
Mr Obama is expected to file campaign papers with the Federal Election Commission as early as today, which would allow him to start raising campaign funds.
While running for president as a senator from Illinois, Mr Obama raised a record $750 million (€527 million) to win the 2008 election.
Details of an upcoming visit to Ireland by Mr Obama will be discussed today in Washington DC, according to senior political sources. The president is expected to arrive here on or around May 21st. But it is understood the length of his stay in Ireland has not yet been decided.
Reuters