More politicians using social media to fight for votes

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Social networking sites have become a vital part of political campaigns across the country.

"If my friends talk about politics on Facebook on their sites that's fine because I've chosen them to be friends, I haven't chosen these politicians to be friends with."

Already plagued by political ads on television, many Newschannel 5 viewers said they would rather not have to think about politics when signing onto Facebook.

"I'm there to enjoy myself. Politics is not entertaining to me," said another Newschannel 5 viewer.

Whether you're running for school board, Governor or President of the United States, Political analyst and blogger, Brian Crowley says you absolutely have to be involved in social media today.

And if you want to know how popular a candidate is or isn't, Jay Berkowitz of internet marketing agency, Ten Golden Rules in Boca Raton, says just look at the politician's friends list.

"How many Facebook fans, how many people subscribe to their YouTube channel and watch their YouTube videos, and of course, their Twitter followers as well."

However, social media can be a big burden.

Crowley said that there is a whole host of blog sites that can really kill a campaign. Crowley says politicians must constantly monitor what their opponents do online, and even pay attention to what individual voters post.

"It's always growing, always changing, always have to adapt to social media which is becoming the huge presence in everything we do every single day."