GOP's Tim Pawlenty exploring 2012 presidential run

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty on Monday kicked off the race for the Republican presidential nomination by becoming the first major candidate to announce the formation of an exploratory committee.

Pawlenty initially posted a video announcement exclusively on his Facebook page. He said he is exploring a bid because he wants to "grow jobs, limit government spending and tackle entitlements."

"We need to encourage the dreamers and innovators, the small-business owners, the hard workers, the brave men and women throughout this country's history that have asked for nothing more than the freedom to work hard and get ahead without government getting in the way," he said.

Pawlenty, 50, served two terms as Minnesota's governor and was on the short list of possible running mates for 2008 GOP presidential nominee John McCain.

"Join the team and together we'll restore America," he said, as the video faded to a screen with: "Pawlenty 2012."

Having filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission that legally classifies him as a candidate, Pawlenty now can hire staff and raise money for a presidential bid.

Businessman Herman Cain and former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer also have announced exploratory committees for the GOP nomination.

The Minnesota Republican's decision to form a committee goes a step farther than former House speaker Newt Gingrich's. This month, Gingrich stopped short of announcing an exploratory committee of his own and instead launched a website to "test the waters" and gauge voter support for a 2012 presidential run.

Gingrich congratulated Pawlenty on Monday afternoon via Twitter, writing, "You were a great MN Gov, you'd be a great Pres candidate @CallyGingrich and I look forward to seeing you and Mary soon."

Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, said Pawlenty's announcement will likely prompt other contenders to launch their own committees soon. "It's getting to be about that time," he said. "It's later in the process than the last go-round."

Gillespie added that the increased use of social media to spread a candidate's message has allowed potential candidates to wait longer to announce. "You can move information around without paid media," he said.

Contributing: Catalina Camia and Fredreka Schouten