Photo: Reuters

Barack Obama officially launched his re-election campaign on Saturday in dual rallies in the swing states of Ohio and Virginia, touting his credentials to protect the middle class and laying down the key points of attack against Mitt Romney, his presumed Republican opponent.

About 14,000 supporters gathered on the campuses of Ohio State University in Columbus and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond on Saturday to hear President Barack Obama speak in launching his re-election campaign for the November poll, USA Today said.

Accompanied by his wife Michelle, the President highlighted the progress the US has made toward pulling itself out of an ‘economic malaise’ under his leadership, while criticizing his opponent, Republican Mitt Romney, for being too close to the conservative House Republicans and asserting that his career in business has left him ‘out of touch with the lives of American middle class.’

In a 37-minute speech, the president reminded the audience that he inherited a severe economic crisis and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the country now is more secure.

"For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq," Obama said. "Osama bin Laden is no longer a threat to this country. Al Qaeda is on the path to defeat and by 2014 the war in Afghanistan will be over."

Obama was to follow his Ohio State University kick off with a rally at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, capital of another battleground state./.