Peter King Kicks Over Running for President in 2016

Add another name to the possible field of Republican presidential candidates lining up in 2016 -- U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.

Kings supporters are starting to float his name as a possible presidential candidate. While no sitting member of the U.S. House has been elected president since James Garfield won the 1880 presidential election (and Garfield was a senator-elect when he unexpectedly won the Republican presidential nomination after 36 ballots, the longest GOP presidential fight ever), King has a higher profile than most congressmen, namely from chairing the House Committee on Homeland Security. Representing parts of Long Island and sitting on the House Financial Services Committee, King has been a strong fundraiser at the congressional level, though that might not translate to having enough for a presidential race.

While there are certainly some skeletons in his closet -- ranging from his comments on American Muslims to his support for the Irish Republican Army -- if he runs, King should be able to find a niche talking about defense and security issues. He might have competition for that role though as former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton is also floating his name as a possible presidential candidate and they would cover much the same ground.

King is not a social liberal which has hurt New York Republicans, including Nelson Rockefeller and Rudy Giuliani, seeking the presidency in recent decades. King is solidly pro-life and should pass muster with conservatives on most social issues. Still, King will be 72 in 2016 though he shows very little signs of slowing down. While its tough to see King winning the Republican nomination, he should have enough fundraising skill to last at least through New Hampshire and he might be able to score some points in the debates by hammering the Obama administration on foreign policy and domestic security. If he runs, King could shape the contest even if its unlikely for him to emerge as the nominee.

Newsmax has the details on Kings camp sending up trial balloons on a possible presidential bid.