Earlier this month, more than a dozen prominent Republican women — including Cape Girardeau Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson — were tapped for a “truth squad” to deflate rumors surrounding veep nominee Sarah Palin.

Now, the Barack Obama has countered with a truth team of its own –  arguing that Republican nominee John McCain is distorting the Democrat’s view on taxes.

“John McCain continues to insist that the fundamentals of the economy are strong but the 19,200 Missourians who have lost their jobs this year would strongly disagree,” said Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee, the vocal Obama supporter who will lead the new group.  “We simply cannot afford four more years of this in Missouri.”

In addition to Montee, other members of the “Missouri Tax Truth Squad” include Clint Zweifel, the Democratic nominee for state treasurer, Connie Hendren, the Boone County public administrator, and Darlene Davis, former President of the St. Louis Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants.