Libertarian VP Candidate Jim Gray Speaks in Mount Pleasant

If Libertarians ever had a strong chance of capturing the White House — or even just coming in a strong third place — 2012 was it, but so far Democrats and Republicans have blocked the party from appearing on the same stage with President Obama and Mitt Romney.

That's the word from Libertarian vice presidential nominee Jim Gray who spoke Saturday in Mount Pleasant at a state party rally aboard the USS Yorktown.

"Unfortunately, we were counting on being in these presidential debates," Gray said. "We filed a lawsuit in Washington. We're doing our best (but) there's not much time remaining."

The final Presidential debate is Monday. Gray shares the top of the Libertarian Party's ballot with former Arizona Gov. Gary Johnson. Though most polls aren't tracking the candidates' appeal, they will appear on the ballot in 48 states, including South Carolina.

But Libertarians are suing the two major parties as well as the Presidential Debates Commission for being shut out. A retired state judge from California, Gray said voters deserved to hear from Libertarians and Green Party candidates.

And he criticized all the preparation candidates underwent in the days leading up to the debates.

"Gov. Johnson didn't go through any of this preparation, and he could have answered any of these questions, and so could I," Gray said. "It's pretty much straightforward. It's who we are. We don't need to pretend."

Gray said Johnson will run again for President in 2016, and if the party can get at least 5 percent of the national vote this year, it can get federal matching funds for the 2016 race. Gray is hopeful the party will get as much as 10 percent of the vote in November

But if his reception in Charleston was any indication, there is an enthusiasm gap. The state party rally aboard the Yorktown had fewer than 50 attendees and an event earlier in the day in downtown Charleston drew an even smaller crowd.

Libertarians support a liberal social agenda while advocating for a drastically smaller government with low taxes, limited legal powers and a restrained foreign policy. Gray and Johnson are outspoken proponents of legalizing marijuana.