BY OLYMPIA MEOLA

President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign is launching a national effort to arm grassroots supporters with information to promote Obama’s achievements and respond to Republican attacks.

As the GOP presidential contenders fight for the party’s nomination to challenge Obama, the “Truth Teams” will be rolled out at events today in several states, including Virginia, expected to be a battleground in the 2012 presidential contest.

The Virginia event will be held this morning at the General Assembly Building, featuring several state senators.

A series of web sites will feature the campaign’s information as well as various social media tools.  

“Designed to put responsibility for spreading the truth in the hands of the President’s supporters, the websites contain videos and information on the President’s record, and fact checks on Republican claims about the President and themselves,” the campaign said in a news release sent this morning.

“The goal is to ensure that when Republicans attack President Obama’s record, grassroots supporters can take ownership of the campaign and share the facts with the undecided voters in their lives.”

Obama’s win in 2008 made him the first Democrat to capture Virginia’s electoral votes since President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. He’s making a push in the state again this year, but in a much different political climate.  

In addition to Virginia, Truth Teams will be announced today in Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Events are being held in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio.