President Barack Obama’s re-election camp announced that the president and his wife Michelle will hold their first campaign rallies next week. This will be the start of the general election campaign against Republican Mitt Romney. Campaign Rallies

The Obamas will hold rallies on May 5 in Virginia and Ohio, which are considered battleground states that are vital to Obama’s re-election campaign. Jim Messina, Obama campaign manager, said that the Republicans have already settled for their candidate who survived a tough primary race.

Obama’s re-election campaign was officially launched last year as the president held fundraisers and official events with electoral undercurrents for months but he hasn’t held large rallies that were part of his strategy in 2008. Large rallies that were attended by thousands of people helped him win the presidency.

Republicans have said that President Obama used taxpayer dollars to fund his campaign when he held White House events based on issues that will help define the election. The president and the White House denied the allegations.

Messina said that President Obama will hold more official campaign events gradually. He has a busy day job and the campaign will adjust with his schedule. The campaign rallies that will be held next week will start the process.

The re-election campaign included the first lady Michelle Obama, who has high approval ratings among voters. Having her with the president on campaign rallies is designed to lure more people to the president’s side. The states where the first rallies will occur were chosen because of their importance in the race against Romney.

Messina added that President Obama started his official re-election campaign later than his predecessors Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and George W. Bush, a Republican. Romney’s camp said that in less than two weeks, President Barack Obama will bring his failed policies and broken promises to Virginia. Republican Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia said that Obama’s policies will take the country to the wrong direction.