Former Rep. Vito Fossella says that he’s “surprised and deeply humbled” that the executive committee of the Staten Island GOP has endorsed him for his old House seat — and wants some time to “properly consider the matter.”

Two things:

* He wasn’t surprised: He’s been talking up a candidacy privately for weeks.

* And if Fossella was capable of humility, he wouldn’t be thinking about a comeback. After all, what about the impact of such a race on his families?

Recall that Fossella was embarrassed out of office two years ago, when a DUI arrest led to the revelation that the married-with-children congressman was enjoying a secret life with a longtime mistress and their 3-year-old daughter.

He actually went to jail.

And never mind that he publicly humiliated his wife, his girlfriend and their respective children — his betrayal of his constituents was equally egregious.

Talk about being a poster boy for “rules don’t apply to me” Capitol Hill pols.

If, as Staten Island GOP leaders insist, Vito Fossella is the strongest candidate they can chum up, then their party is in pretty pathetic shape. In fact, the race has two other GOP candidates, both impressive. And former beep Guy Molinari, a onetime Fossella patron, is vowing an “ugly and nasty” primary if he runs.

Which Fossella clearly means to do — “given my deep and abiding respect for the hardworking people of Staten Island and Brooklyn,” he says.

Nonsense.

If Vito Fossella has an ounce of respect for himself, to say nothing of his former constituents, he’ll stay retired.