Obama’s re-election campaign gets off the ground in Chicago

Obama’s re-election campaign gets off the ground in Chicago

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The re-election campaign for President Barack Obama is getting under way in Chicago. David Axelrod is a critical member of Mr. Obama’s circle of advisors. He recently talked with reporters about his experience moving from the White House back to Chicago.

“I got a few boxes left, but, yeah, I’m pretty much settled in,” Axelrod said after speaking at the City Club of Chicago.

Axelrod said the work has started.

“We’ve got some, sort of, foundational work to do to get ready for the campaign in terms of message development and so on and that’s what’s taking my time right now,” he said.

He wouldn’t confirm recent reports that the campaign wants to raise a billion dollars, saying a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited money on campaigns is making things more expensive.

“I don’t know what it’s going to take to run the campaign. It’s obviously an expensive proposition,” he said.

Mr. Obama’s campaign is planning a fundraiser at Navy Pier later this week.