President Obama formally kicks off his 2012 campaign

As expected, President Obama confirmed in an email sent to supporters Monday morning that he's seeking another four years in the White House.

"Today, we are filing papers to launch our 2012 campaign," Obama wrote in the email. "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. And that kind of campaign takes time to build. "

The email came as the campaign released a roughly two-minute long web video called "It Begins With Us." The video, which does not feature Obama, includes testimonials from average people in key swing states about the president's tenure in the White House and the need to re-elect him to a second term.

"There are so many things that are still on the table that need to be addressed. And we want them to be addressed by President Obama," a woman identified Gladys from Nevada says.

You can watch the video here:

Obama is expected to file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission later today to allow him to begin fundraising for his 2012 re-election effort. The move kicks off what will likely be the most expensive presidential campaign in history. Already, top Obama aides have signaled to donors that the president plans to raise more than $750 million for his re-election effort--a number that surpasses the record-breaking total he raised for his 2008 election.

Traditionally, incumbent presidents have waited to formally kick off their re-election campaigns, but Obama enters the 2012 campaign in a weaker position than he did four years ago. A Quinnipiac Poll released last week found his approval rating at a historic low amid ongoing concerns about the economy, his handling of the unrest in Libya and drama in Washington, including the threat of a government shutdown.

In the email, Obama sought to play down any possible backlash to his decision to launch his re-election campaign a full 19 months before Election Day 2012.

"Even though I'm focused on the job you elected me to do, and the race may not reach full speed for a year or more, the work of laying the foundation for our campaign must start today," Obama wrote in the email to supporters.

While his 2008 campaign was built around the idea of "hope" and "change," Obama sought to cast the upcoming 2012 race as an election to continue his agenda and cement his legacy.

"This will be my final campaign, at least as a candidate. But the cause of making a lasting difference for our families, our communities, and our country has never been about one person. And it will succeed only if we work together."

(Screenshot of the Obama 2012 logo courtesy YouTube)