Johnson: I can still get into second and third debates

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson on Sunday said he thinks he can get a spot on the stage in future presidential debates.

{mosads}”The clock still ticks, so getting to 15 percent and being in the second debate and third debate,” Johnson said on CNN’s “Reliable Sources” when asked what happens now that he didn’t meet the qualifications to participate in the first presidential debate.

“My partner, fiance, best friend, Kate, she said, ‘Gary, this is just your luck. You don’t have to hassle with the first debate and you’re still going to get elected president.’ We’ll see how that turns out.”

Johnson emphasized the presidential campaign isn’t a two-party race. He noted he and his running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, are on the ballot in all 50 states.

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced on Friday that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump and their running mates are the only candidates who will take part in the first debates.

Trump and Clinton will take part in the Sept. 26 debate at Hofstra University in New York. Both Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein were not invited.

The vice presidential debate on Oct. 4 will be between Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R).

It is possible still for Johnson to make it into subsequent debates scheduled for Oct. 9 and Oct. 19, but he would need more support in the polls.

The commission requires that candidates register an average of 15 percent support in five recent polls the commission has selected.

According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, Johnson is currently polling at 8.6 percent.

He has been making the case recently for why he thinks he should be included in the presidential debates.