Barack Obama Launches His 2012 Presidential Campaign

Woo hoo! And here’s the video, also available on the President’s website.

The President also sent an email to supporters and, according to The Washington Post, he’s filing his candidacy papers today so he can start fundraising. He’s the first candidate to declare his candidacy.

Obama has been criticized by Republicans (of course) for launching the campaign amid ongoing issues like a potential government shutdown and high unemployment.

“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.