Karger pushing for SC debate invite

The qualifying criteria and official invitations have not yet been released for South Carolina's May presidential primary debate, but Fred Karger wants his name on the list.

The California Republican released a statement Thursday saying he would be "delighted to participate in the May 5, 2011 South Carolina Republican Party and Fox News Channel Debate in Greenville." But it's not yet clear if Karger, a gay-rights activist, will be allowed to participate.

The openly gay Republican is mounting a long-shot bid for president and has sought to gain entry into GOP forums to "send a message to younger people," he told The Ballot Box in January.

"I'm going to fight, as many potential candidates do, to get into these forums and debates, and I will," he said then.