It’s clear that in order to appear relevant and viable in today’s political world, you have to have a social media presence. As the Republican primary field slowly takes shape, its candidates all seem to have one thing in common: announcements via social media.

Back in April, Mitt Romney announced the formation of an exploratory. committee to run for President with a YouTube video. Although he has yet to officially declare his intentions, most insiders feel like he is a sure thing to run. Even without officially declaring, he looks to be the frontrunner in most polls so far.

Earlier this month, Newt Gingrich jumped on the social media wagon by announcing his official candidacy with a YouTube video as well. He also alerted followers to his announcement via Twitter and Facebook.

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, or T-Paw as he calls himself on his official campaign site
, has announced his run for the White House with a slickly produced YouTube video. The video, entitled “A Time for Truth” states that his main points during the upcoming election season will be national debt and job creation.

Pawlenty also used Twitter and Facebook to announce his announcement:

Tim PawlentyI’m announcing my Presidential campaign at a town hall in Iowa on Monday, and I will begin a campaign that tells the American people the truth. Please watch the video below, share it with friends and neighbors and join our campaign http://bit.ly/jqXFGE Together, we will change this country, and this time it’ll be for the better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i66q1f3M3w 17 hours ago · 1,291 likes · 248 comments

Pawlenty is most likely going to need to build a strong social media base, as his recognition among primary voters is not quite the same as other candidates.

Pawlenty’s Facebook page has 88,860 likes and he has just under 35,000 Twitter followers. In comparison, Newt Gingrich has 134,000 likes on his Facebook page and 1.3 million Twitter followers. Mitt Romney has over 900,000 Facebook likes and 42,000 Twitter followers. Also among the candidates is Representative Ron Paul, who always has a strong internet following. He has 365,000 Facebook likes and 50,000 Twitter followers. Unfortunately for him, his strong popularity on the web and with young voters hasn’t translated to success at the polls in the past.

And let’s not forget that whoever wins the Republican primary will face the President, who is quite the social media star.