The Obama campaign is defending its new web site, AttackWatch.com, from criticism that it is heavy-handed and Big Brother-esque. The site was launched on Tuesday with the purpose of nipping false comments and attacks in the bud by allowing supporters to report any untruths they think they have come across about President Barack Obama or his administration.

But conservatives blasted the site on Twitter yesterday using the hashtag #attackwatch to complain about or mock the web site.

The Obama administration responded back with a comment to the Washington Post on the issue. "This site is a tool providing our supporters with the facts they need to fight back against lies and distortions about the President’s record," Deputy Press Secretary Katie Hogan told the newspaper.

During his 2008 campaign, Obama launched a site called Fight The Smears, which served pretty much the same purpose of Attack Watch, albeit with much more flowery language and an explanatory quote from the then-Presidential candidate: "What you won't hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon -- that sees our opponents not as competitors to challenge, but enemies to demonize.– Barack Obama, June 3, 2008." 

This time around, the truth-telling site's opening message is simple and to the point: "Get the facts. Fight the smears." Attach Watch features a news feed allowing those who sign up to receive regular updates on fact-checked comments and attacks made against the Obama administration. Visitors of the site can also find a list of popular attacks on the President as well as his administration's response. What do you think of AttackWatch.com? Do you think it's a necessary or useful tool?

Image: AttackWatch.com