EDITORIAL - Following the close of Ron Paul's presidential campaign, the Libertarian Party thanked Paul for all that he had done for liberty in his presidential bid. "Paul fought an uphill battle for liberty every day in his presidential campaign against all of the big-government juggernauts of the Republican Party," says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis.

"Paul opened many doors for liberty in this nation through his presidential campaign," Davis continued. "By that standard--of which all politicians should be judged--he won a bigger victory than John McCain or Barack Obama ever will. Ron Paul worked to empower the people, not the government. That is a rare trait in today's political world."

Paul was the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate in 1988, and remains a lifetime member of the Libertarian Party.

"Congressman Ron Paul has fought tirelessly in both the Libertarian Party and the Republican Party to minimize government power and maximize individual liberty," says Libertarian Party presidential candidate and former Congressman Bob Barr. "I want to thank him for all that he has done for liberty in this nation, and encourage him to continue his fight through whatever avenues he sees fit."

The Libertarian Party named Barr as its presidential candidate at its National Convention last month. Barr worked closely with Paul on many issues in Congress, and still maintains a good relationship with the Congressman to this day.

"He's saying the things that he should be saying," Paul said of Barr during a CNN interview on Thursday. "He talks our language. So I do really believe that he can have a very positive effect in this campaign, and let the people know that limited government is a very, very important message and the people will have a chance, and that gives them--you know--everybody a choice in the matter."

The Libertarian Party plans to be on the ballot in at least 48 states in Nov.