Obama likely to seek re-election: White House

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama is likely to run for re-election in 2012, a White House spokesman has said.

“I think it is likely that is going to happen,” said Robert Gibbs during a regular briefing Thursday, noting the bid would not be official until Obama filed papers with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Gibbs said Obama wanted to continue his efforts to revive the economy, Xinhua reported.

With a series of White House personnel shifts, US media outlets have been abuzz with speculations about Obama’s re-election campaign.

Reports indicated Obama will file papers with the FEC to formally declare his candidacy around March, and deputy chief of staff Jim Messina will serve as his campaign manager.