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By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press
      


WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is about to make one of
Washington's worst kept secrets official: He wants a second term.


      Democratic officials familiar with the president's plans said
Saturday that Obama intends to file papers as early as this coming
week with the Federal Election Commission to launch his 2012
re-election campaign. He also will announce his candidacy to
supporters by email and text messages.
     

 The officials asked not to be identified in order to speak
before the papers are filed.


      That widely anticipated but formal step of registering with the
FEC will free Obama to start raising money for the re-election
effort, which, like his 2008 campaign, will be run from Chicago.


      That fundraising already has begun. Obama netted $1.5 million at
a Democratic fundraiser in New York's Harlem this past week. He's
also scheduled to travel in the week ahead to headline events in
Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
     

 Obama raised an eye-catching $750 million in 2008.


      The president isn't expected to face a primary challenge.


      Though a cast of Republican governors, former governors and
others are laying the groundwork for a presidential bid, none has formally 
entered the race.
      

As the Obama campaign operation ramps up behind the scenes in
terms of money, message and manpower, Obama plans to stay focused
on his day job. Aside from the obvious fundraising that will be
required of him, Obama intends to stay out of the fray until
Republicans settle on a candidate next spring.
     


 Obama's hopes for a second term received a boost Friday after
the government said the March unemployment rate had dipped to its
lowest level in two years, to 8.8 percent, and that the economy
added 216,000 jobs last month.


      Polls consistently show the economy is voters' top concern and
Republicans plan to make an issue of Obama's handling of the
recovery.

      Obama said Friday's numbers mean the "economy is showing signs
of real strength" as it continues to recover from the recession
that wiped out 7.5 million jobs.
      

Gallery

Politics and Government News

Democratic officials familiar with the president's plans said
Saturday that Obama intends to file papers as early as this coming
week with the Federal Election Commission to launch his 2012
re-election campaign.

AP sources: Obama set to launch re-election bid

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