Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) has, for the most part, insisted he’s not interested in running for president. But he’s also making sure his supporters know that other people want him to.

The longtime Long Island congressman, now the chief of the House Homeland Security Committee, has sent out three emails to supporters highlighting news coverage about a nascent — at best — King 2012 campaign.

King has made noise about running for higher office before, but those rumblings have always involved statewide New York postitions. This time, he’s talking about a higher-stakes stage, one that he is both eyeing and disavowing at the same time.

“Last night, former Mayor Ed Koch urged me to run for President, while agreeing to join my administration,” read the latest missive from “Pete King for Congress,” referring to the octogenarian, iconic former leader of New York City. “I would love to hear your thoughts on my potential White House bid,” he added.

King’s public ponderings have raised the question among political-watchers from New York to Washington: What’s King actually up to?

The answer, insists the congressman, is “nothing,” other than the obvious.

“I’ve said, I’m going to let this play out,” King told POLITICO of why he’s simultaneously flirting with, and rejecting, a 2012 bid. But, he said, “the more attention I can focus on myself, the more attention” gets trained on his Nassau County district, and the issues he cares about.

Still, several political insiders speculated that King is also hoping to boost his campaign coffers, bolster his media profile or even giving himself extra layer of insulation for dealing with redistricting.

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