Obama on the campaign trail

As President Obama's campaign team gears up for his 2012 re-election bid, the president will almost certainly maintain a breakneck pace, balancing his day-to-day duties in Washington with a series of high-profile campaign events -- the frequency of which will only increase as the election nears. Here, CBSNews.com documents the president's most memorable fundraising stops so far -- and looks back to some highlights from the 2008 campaign trail.

CBSNews.com special report: Election 2012

President Obama greets supporters after his speech during a fundraiser for his re-election campaign at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip on September 26, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. Tickets for the event were $250 and an optional $10,000 for a picture alongside the president. The event is part of a three-day, three-state fundraising trip.

Mr. Obama shakes hands with "Modern Family" actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson at a campaign fundraiser Sept. 26, 2011, at House of Blues in Los Angeles.

Rapper and singer-songwriter B.o.B. (left) performs during a fundraiser for Mr. Obama before the president spoke at a campaign fundraising event at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip on September 26, 2011 in West Hollywood, California.

Mr. Obama, center, is introduced by NBA basketball Hall-of-Famers Bill Russell, left, and Lenny Wilkens, right, during a Democratic fundraiser at the Paramount Theater, Sunday, Sept., 25, 2011, in Seattle.

Mr. Obama greets well-wishers September 26, 2011 upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. Obama was in San Diego to attend a campaign fundraiser.

Mr. Obama greets supporters after speaking at a campaign fundraiser September 25, 2011 at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Washington.

First Lady Michelle Obama gestures before introducing her husband President Barack Obama at a DNC fundraiser at Gotham Hall in New York, Tuesday, Sept., 20, 2011.

President Obama speaks in New York, June 23, 2011 — AP

President Obama gestures as he speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, June 23, 2011, in New York.

President Obama greets audience members after addressing a crowd at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts at an event dubbed the "Obama Victory Fund 2012 Kickoff Reception," on June 13, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Mr. Obama was in South Florida on his way to Puerto Rico.

President Obama has a substantial edge over his Republican competitors when it comes to fundraising: In the 2nd quarter of 2011, the president collected $86 million for his re-election campaign and the Democratic Party combined -- putting him tens of millions of dollars ahead of the top Republican in terms of fundraising, Mitt Romney, who raised about $18 million in the same period.

In 2008, the Obama campaign made an unprecedented push to get young voters and small donors to make online contributions to Mr. Obama's election efforts. In the lead-up to 2012, the president's campaign arm will undoubtedly redouble its efforts in that capacity -- but whether or not they'll be able to pick up the same momentum from those same demographics a second time around remains to be seen.

President Obama greets supporters at a fundraiser at Sony Pictures Studios April 21, 2011 in Culver City, California. Speaking from the sound stage to an A-list crowd of celebrities and studio execs, Mr. Obama wooed supporters -- and professed his love for the "Spider-Man" franchise.

Reverend Al Sharpton stands with President Obama after introducing him at the 20th anniversary National Action Network Gala on April 6, 2011 in New York City. The National Action Network is a coalition of civil rights groups headed by Sharpton.

In November 2008, Mr. Obama, then a presidential candidate, joined his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, onstage with music giant Bruce Springsteen during a rally at Cleveland Mall in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Obama waves after speaking during a campaign rally at Ohio State House November 2, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Obama is greeted after he is introduced during a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Arena November 3, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida.