Long-shot prospective White House candidate Rep. Peter King will wade into the thick of GOP presidential politicking Friday, with a round of speeches in New Hampshire
— including at the First in the National Republican Leadership Summit.
In a jam-packed schedule released Thursday by the New York Republican's American
Leadership Now PAC, King will hold a panel discussion on homeland security at Franklin Pierce University
— whose president, Andrew Card, served as chief of staff for President George W. Bush
— have lunch with former Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown, and make a round of media appearances.
But the highlight will be his remarks at the
leadership conference considered the formal kickoff of the 2016 presidential campaign in the early primary state.
WMUR.com political reporter John DiStaso said the event will attract "no fewer than 19 announced and prospective Republican presidential candidates," and though
King concedes he'd have an uphill battle as a prospective candidate, he expects the veteran lawmaker to make a splash.
"Who will be the most quotable?"
DiStaso writes.
"The front-runner in that category has to be Donald Trump but he could face challenges by [New Jersey Gov.] Chris Christie, [Ohio Gov.] John Kasich and [Texas Sen.] Ted Cruz. And watch out for Pete King."
"To protect our nation and to have any hope of winning in 2016, Republicans must elect a leader who rejects isolationism and who is driven to defeat Islamist terrorism overseas and here at home," King, who serves on the Homeland Security and Intelligence committees, said in a statement on his PAC's website.
"Unlike others in New Hampshire this weekend, my main target is Islamist terrorism
— not the NSA and not the CIA. My concern is a terrorist bomb going off in Times Square, not a CIA drone killing an American in Starbucks! I also believe it is fundamental Republican philosophy to govern responsibly, not shut government down."
The PAC also reports King will focus on support for police who are "under an irrational siege from elements of the liberal media such as The New York Times and opportunists such as Al Sharpton."
King's PAC reports the Friday New Hampshire appearances mark King's 12th visit in the past 20 months.
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