King’s Weekend Trip Seen Tied To White House Run

Rep. Peter King continues to flirt with the idea of a run for the White House and this weekend was in New Hampshire, the site of an early important presidential primary in 2016.

According to an AP report, King, R-Seaford, was in the Granite State Sunday for a barbecue that was seen by some as a coming-out party for the congressman’s presidential ambitions.

King, who until January represented Farmingdale and part of Plainview, noted that he is at least a year away from making a final decision about a run for the White House. His new 2nd Congressional District has been redrawn somewhat south.

“I believe the Republican Party would be receptive to my candidacy,” he said.

The report noted that while the 69-year old congressman in recent weeks has talked openly about a presidential run, he has not conducted polling or started courting donors.

In recent weeks, King has talked about making a run for the presidency in an effort to offset other Republicans, including Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is viewed by some as a possible presidential contender in 2016. King has expressed concern over positions taken by Paul and others that include reducing U.S. military involvement overseas and cutting U.S. foreign aid.

"If I do run, I intend to win. But certainly, it's added incentive to prevent the isolationist wing of the (Republican) party from taking over," King said.

King continues to be a prominent figure on national stage, particularly in regards to national security matters. In the wake of U.S. Embassy closings this week around the world, King described the most recent threats as credible: 

“I’ve been getting briefed fairly regularly over the last seven or eight years at least and also pretty heavily before then and this is the most specific I’ve seen,” King told "Politico."