The Liberty Papers

As I noted yesterday, the Libertarian National Committee took the somewhat unusual step of asking Ron Paul, who is running for the Republican Presidential nomination, to run as a Libertarian if he does not get the GOP nomination.

Today, the Austin American-Statesman reports that Paul has declined the invitation:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Ron Paul turned down a Libertarian Party invitation on Sunday that could have kept him in the 2008 presidential race even if his long-shot bid for the GOP nomination fails.

At a meeting in Charleston, S.C., the Libertarian National Committee on Sunday unanimously approved a resolution praising the Lake Jackson congressman for igniting “a renewed passion for liberty across America.”

Paul was the 1988 Libertarian presidential nominee and, according to the resolution proposed by former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr, “is a member of the Libertarian Party in good standing.”

“The Libertarian Party and Congressman Ron Paul share many common principles for liberty and prosperity in America,” the resolution said.

The Barr resolution urged Paul to seek the Libertarian Party nomination that will be awarded at the party’s May national convention in Denver.

But Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said it would not happen.

“Ron has no intention to run third party whatsoever,” he said.

And that, it would appear, is that.