Committe Formed to Draft Donald Trump

ST. CHARLES, MO. -- Decorated Iraq War veteran Nick McLaughlin of St. Charles, Missouri, has announced the formation of a grass-roots, all volunteer organization to draft New York developer Donald J. Trump for the 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination.

McLaughlin saw combat in three tours in Iraq in the US Marine Corp and was hit by shrapnel from a car bomb in Ubush, Iraq. He was awarded a Purple Heart and nine other medals including a Presidential citation.

"Under Barak Obama, America has become a laughingstock around the world," said McLaughlin, in a news release sent to WESB and The HERO. "America needs a strong leader like Donald Trump to restore America's economic strength and respect around the world."

McLaughlin, who has never been active in politics before, said he had filed the committee with the Federal Election Commission and that the organization was not directed, authorized or funded by Trump. "I have never met Mr. Trump," said McLaughlin, "But I am certain he is the man America needs."

McLaughlin said the Draft Committee has posted a website at www.DraftTrump2012.com and would seek to collect one half million citizen signatures on petitions urging Trump to enter the 2012 contest.

McLaughlin also announced that Lynn Krogh, former Deputy Press Secretary for New York Governor George Pataki and former Executive Director of the Young Republican National Federation would serve as National Political Director of the Draft Trump 2012 Committee with the responsibility for setting up Draft Trump Committees in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, Florida, and other early caucus and primary states.

McLaughlin met Krogh at the Conservative Political Action Conference- CPAC.

McLaughlin also said that Mark J. LaLiberte would serve as the New Hampshire Draft Trump Coordinator. LaLiberte is a lifelong resident of New Hampshire. LaLiberte served as the public policy advisor for former Manchester Mayor (now Congressman) Frank Guinta, He also was an editor for Business NH Magazine and the Portsmouth Herald. LaLiberte holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in political science and a Masters of Public Administration degree, both from the University of New Hampshire.

McLaughlin said his group would work to convince Trump to declare his candidacy by the end of 2011 and urged supporters to go to www.DraftTrump2012.com to sign the citizen petition.