Peter King Story Sparks Media Commotion

A storm of media interest erupted after Newsmax broke the story on Wednesday that Rep. Peter King was seriously considering a White House run in 2016.

The Newsmax article by John Gizzi disclosed that New York Republican King, past chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, is being encouraged by friends in and outside New York to seek the GOP nomination for president.

"A lot of folks are telling him to do it and he sure acts interested," a source disclosed.

In an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Friday morning, King credited Newsmax with sparking talk about a White House run.

"Newsmax came to me, said they were going to do a story," he said. "I found out the story was posted online. I said I would consider the race."

King also expressed concern about America's security after Obama pulls U.S. troops out of Afghanistan: "If we pull out, how are we different from September 10, 2001?"

After the Newsmax story broke, the "media storm" began. The New York Daily News was among the many media outlets to report that King is "weighing a run" for the White House, noting on Thursday night that "the idea of a presidential bid was floated by the conservative website Newsmax."

ABC News interviewed King on Thursday about a White House run while acknowledging that King "was first mentioned as a possible candidate in an article by Newsmax."

CBS News also interviewed King about his potential candidacy on Thursday, reporting that "a number of people have asked Rep. Peter King to consider a presidential run."

The Huffington Post reported: "The media storm began Wednesday when Newsmax reported that King was being encouraged by friends to pursue the GOP presidential nomination."

Talking Points Memo noted that "it's hard to be surprised by anything involving Rep. Peter King. Nevertheless, a report by the conservative outlet Newsmax did the trick. It featured some of King’s allies pushing the idea that the longtime New York lawmaker, known for his tough talk and cable news ubiquity, could run for president in 2016."

CNN reported on King's potential candidacy on Thursday, observing that "few expected Republican Rep. Peter King, a longtime congressman from Long Island, to submit his name to the possible crop of contenders. King did just that."

Fox News also reported that King is "weighing a run for the White House," and if he runs "he would focus on homeland security and counterterrorism."

Politicker stated: "Newsmax reported that Long Island GOP Congressman Peter King, not widely considered one of the top contenders for the White House in 2016, was nevertheless looking at running for president."

Politico stated on Friday: "King acknowledged he was considering a run after a conservative website floated his potential bid."

And The New York Times observed: "If nothing else, talk of a presidential run will mobilize his financial supporters at a time when Democrats see Mr. King, a devout Catholic with conservative positions on a number of social issues, as increasingly vulnerable to a challenge in heavily Democratic New York."