Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

John Danforth

John Claggett Danforth (born September 5, 1936) is an American politician, lawyer, and ordained priest who served as a United States Senator from from 1977 to 1995. Prior to his Senate tenure, Danforth held the position of of from 1969 to 1976, where he prosecuted cases including and antitrust matters. After retiring from the Senate, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the in 2004, serving until 2005 with a focus on resolving the Sudanese civil war, and earlier acted as special envoy to . Danforth's Senate career emphasized commerce, transportation, and foreign relations, chairing the Commerce Committee and contributing to aviation deregulation and trade policies. As an priest ordained in 1976, he integrated faith-based perspectives into public service, later authoring works on the intersection of religion and politics while critiquing partisan religious influences in government. He played a key role in judicial nominations, including hiring as a staffer and supporting his confirmation. In , Attorney General appointed Danforth as to investigate the FBI's conduct in the 1993 , culminating in a 2000 that exonerated agents of wrongdoing or in the Davidian compound fire, though it highlighted operational failures and secrecy that eroded . This probe, costing $17 million, relied on independent forensic analysis and witness testimonies to conclude the fire resulted from Davidian actions, countering theories but drawing for relying on government-provided amid broader doubts about in high-profile incidents. Post-government, Danforth has practiced law at firms like and Dowd Bennett, maintaining influence through board roles and advocacy for bipartisan governance.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

John Claggett Danforth was born on September 5, 1936, in , . He was the son of Donald Danforth, who served as president of the Company, and Dorothy Claggett Danforth. The family's prominence stemmed from , a leading manufacturer founded by Danforth's paternal grandfather, William H. Danforth, in 1894. Danforth was one of four children born to his parents, with his older brother William H. "Bill" Danforth II being the eldest; Bill later pursued a career in and academia, serving as of from 1971 to 2006. The siblings, including sisters Dorothy and another, grew up together in a collegiate Gothic-style house in Clayton, an affluent suburb of . Despite the family's substantial wealth from the Purina enterprise—Donald Danforth held executive roles that contributed to the company's expansion during the mid-20th century—Danforth's upbringing emphasized Midwestern values of practicality and restraint, aligning more with geographic and temperamental middle-class norms than ostentatious elite status. The household was Episcopalian, fostering an environment that later informed Danforth's own ordination as an Episcopal priest in 1976, though specific childhood religious practices are not extensively documented in primary accounts.

Academic and early professional development

Danforth graduated from in 1958 with an A.B. degree in religion, earning honors for his academic performance. He then attended , where he concurrently pursued studies at and , receiving a B.D. from the former and an LL.B. from the latter in 1963. Following graduation, Danforth was ordained as a in the in 1963 and later as a in 1968. He began his professional career practicing at a firm in from 1964 to 1966. After returning to , he continued legal work while serving in pastoral roles, balancing his commitments as an attorney and clergyman for approximately five years prior to entering elective office.

Missouri public service

Attorney General role

John Danforth was elected of on November 5, 1968, defeating Democrat Julian O. Long by a margin of 52% to 48%, marking the first victory in that office in 40 years. He assumed office on January 13, 1969, and was reelected in 1972 with 61% of the vote, serving until January 12, 1977. During his tenure, Danforth focused on professionalizing the office by eliminating patronage-based appointments. Upon taking office, Danforth targeted the "," a network of special assistant attorneys general positions distributed across counties as political favors, which he viewed as inefficient and prone to corruption. He abolished these roles, centralizing operations in Jefferson City and hiring staff based on merit rather than party loyalty, a that reduced the office's size from over 100 assistants to a core team and improved efficiency. Danforth's office enforced antitrust laws to address economic disruptions, notably invoking federal statutes in 1973 to block a nationwide truckers' strike that had halted fuel deliveries, ensuring Missouri service stations remained operational and positioning the state as a refueling hub for interstate commerce. He also hired , then a recent graduate, as an assistant in 1974, assigning him to handle voting rights and cases. As statutory defender of state laws, Danforth represented in Planned Parenthood of Central Missouri v. Danforth (1976), upholding a 1974 imposing restrictions on abortions, including requirements for spousal for married women and for minors, as well as a ban on saline abortions. The U.S. affirmed the parental and spousal provisions but struck down the saline ban and a record-keeping requirement as unduly burdensome. No major controversies marred his tenure, which emphasized legal enforcement over partisan litigation.

U.S. Senate career

Path to the Senate

Danforth, having served two terms as Missouri's from 1969 to 1976, pursued the nomination for the U.S. in 1970 but lost to incumbent Stuart Symington's challenger. When Symington announced his retirement ahead of the 1976 election, Danforth entered the race for the open seat, leveraging his prominence as the state's top official. He secured the nomination without significant opposition, positioning himself as a moderate conservative focused on fiscal responsibility and law-and-order issues. The Democratic primary produced turmoil: U.S. Representative won the nomination on August 3, 1976, but died hours later in a plane crash en route to his victory party, along with his wife and two children. Former Governor , who had finished second in the primary, was selected as the Democratic nominee by party leaders. Hearnes, seeking to succeed Symington after two terms as governor, campaigned on his executive experience but faced challenges amid national Democratic vulnerabilities tied to Watergate fallout and economic concerns. In the general on , , Danforth defeated Hearnes, capturing the seat for Republicans in a competitive race that reflected 's political shift amid the post-Nixon realignment. To gain immediate seniority upon the new convening, Symington resigned on December 27, , and Christopher appointed Danforth to the vacancy the same day, allowing him to serve briefly until his full term began on January 3, 1977. This maneuver, common for incoming senators, enabled Danforth to assume committee roles with established precedence from the outset of his 18-year tenure.

Legislative achievements and fiscal conservatism

During his tenure in the U.S. Senate from 1977 to 1995, John Danforth served on the Finance Committee, where he contributed to key fiscal legislation, including the Tax Reform Act of 1986. As part of the committee's core group drafting the bill, Danforth initially championed its goals of simplifying the tax code, broadening the base, and reducing rates, resulting in a top individual rate of 28 percent and a corporate rate of 34 percent—measures aimed at promoting economic efficiency and revenue neutrality over five years. He later criticized aspects of the conference version for potentially harming low-income housing production through the elimination of certain incentives, highlighting his scrutiny of unintended fiscal consequences. Danforth's manifested in his advocacy for budget discipline, including support for a mandating balanced federal budgets. He backed S.J. Res. 58 in 1982, which sought to limit deficits and tax increases without approval except in emergencies, and voted affirmatively on similar proposals in 1986. In 1994, as co-chair of the Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement and Tax Reform (with Senator ), Danforth endorsed recommendations for spending restraints on programs like Social Security and to eliminate deficits by 2002, emphasizing structural reforms over temporary fixes. His record included consistent opposition to congressional pay raises, rejecting them as unjustified amid public fiscal concerns, and calls for tax policy stability to avoid disrupting business investment—such as cosponsoring measures to extend expiring deductions for and other provisions set to lapse in . While generally aligned with efforts to curb spending growth, Danforth expressed early reservations about the scale of the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act's cuts without offsetting restraints, prioritizing long-term solvency.

Foreign policy and committee work

During his Senate tenure from 1977 to 1995, Danforth served on committees with implications for foreign economic policy, including the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where he chaired the panel from to , and the Committee on . These roles positioned him to influence legislation, such as aspects of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, which aimed to expand U.S. abroad through negotiated reciprocity rather than unilateral barriers, reflecting his preference for multilateral approaches over . Danforth's foreign policy record emphasized engagement over isolation, particularly evident in his opposition to comprehensive economic sanctions against apartheid-era . In 1986, he voted against the , which imposed broad trade restrictions and passed over Reagan's on October 2, 1986, by a vote of 78-21 in the ; Danforth aligned with the administration's "constructive engagement" strategy, arguing that sanctions would harm black more than the white minority regime by disrupting economic growth and reform incentives. This stance drew criticism from sanctions advocates who viewed it as insufficiently pressuring the apartheid government, though Danforth maintained that targeted and internal pressures were more effective for inducing change, as later validated by 's negotiated transition without full economic collapse. While not a primary focus of his legislative agenda, Danforth's committee work indirectly advanced U.S. foreign interests through trade promotion benefiting exporters, such as agriculture and manufacturing sectors reliant on global markets; he prioritized policies fostering to underpin diplomatic leverage, consistent with his broader internationalism during the era. He occasionally participated in overseas delegations, including a 1980s trip to to assess treaty implementation, underscoring practical engagement in hemispheric affairs.

Judicial nominations and related controversies

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1976 to 1995, John Danforth participated in the evaluation of numerous judicial nominees during the Reagan and administrations. He generally supported conservative nominees aligned with Republican priorities, voting against only a few during his tenure. In 1987, Danforth defended Robert Bork's nomination on the floor, delivering an impassioned speech that criticized Senator Kennedy's opposition as unfair and overheated, though Bork was ultimately rejected by a 58-42 vote. Danforth's most prominent involvement came in 1991 with Thomas's nomination to the . Thomas, who had served as an assistant to Danforth in the Missouri Attorney General's office and later as chair of the under Danforth's influence, received Danforth as his primary sponsor. Danforth managed the floor strategy, advocated for Thomas's qualifications, and on October 10, 1991, publicly supported resuming hearings after a brief delay requested by Thomas. The nomination sparked intense controversy following Anita Hill's testimony alleging by Thomas a decade earlier. Danforth, drawing on his personal knowledge of Thomas, defended him forcefully, accusing opponents of orchestrating a "high-tech " and emphasizing Thomas's character and professional record. Thomas denied the allegations, and the confirmed him on October 15, 1991, by a 52-48 margin, with Danforth's credited as pivotal by Thomas himself. Critics, including some Democrats and advocates, faulted the Republican handling of Hill's claims as dismissive and partisan, while Danforth maintained that the process vindicated Thomas based on the presented, later volunteering his defense due to their longstanding professional relationship. No corroborating beyond Hill's testimony emerged to substantiate the allegations, and Thomas's proceeded amid broader debates over nominee vetting and ideological balance on the .

Diplomatic appointments

Special Envoy to Sudan

President appointed former U.S. Senator John C. Danforth as Special Envoy for Peace to on September 6, 2001, tasking him with mediating the longstanding civil war between the Islamist government in and southern rebels led by the (SPLM). Danforth, leveraging his experience in and religious background as an ordained , emphasized moral imperatives alongside diplomatic pragmatism in addressing the conflict, which had claimed an estimated two million lives since 1983 and displaced millions more. His appointment came amid heightened U.S. attention to Sudan's support for terrorism and humanitarian crises, following the removal of from the state sponsors of terrorism list in October 2001 after intelligence cooperation post-9/11. Danforth adopted a benchmark-driven strategy, rejecting vague ceasefires and insisting on verifiable progress through four specific tests: unimpeded humanitarian access to zones, a to protect civilians, cessation of and forced abductions, and direct negotiations without preconditions between the Sudanese government and SPLM. These conditions aimed to build trust and expose insincerity, differing from prior U.S. envoys' approaches that had yielded temporary truces without lasting enforcement. He conducted multiple missions to and neighboring countries, engaging leaders like President and SPLM chairman , while coordinating with the (IGAD) mediation framework. In May 2002, Danforth issued a report outlining a realistic path to , highlighting incremental successes in humanitarian corridors but underscoring persistent government obstructions, such as aerial bombings of civilian areas. Danforth's efforts contributed to the Naivasha protocols between 2004 and 2005, culminating in the (CPA) signed on January 9, 2005, in , , which established a power-sharing , autonomy for southern , and provisions for a 2011 on —ultimately leading to South Sudan's . The benchmarks facilitated U.S. incentives, including debt relief and sanctions easing, tied to compliance, pressuring to negotiate seriously. However, the envoy role predated the erupting in 2003, which Danforth addressed peripherally through calls for accountability but fell outside his primary north-south mandate; critics later noted the CPA's fragility, as north-south tensions persisted despite the accord. Danforth transitioned from the envoy position in 2004 upon his nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the , where he continued Sudan-related advocacy until resigning in December 2004.

United Nations Ambassador tenure

John Danforth was sworn in as the Permanent Representative to the on July 1, 2004, by President , following unanimous confirmation on June 24, 2004. He succeeded , who had been reassigned as ambassador to . Danforth's appointment leveraged his recent experience as U.S. Special Envoy to , where he had advanced negotiations between the Sudanese government and southern rebels since 2001, proposing benchmarks that facilitated progress toward a . Throughout his tenure, Danforth prioritized the Sudan peace process, engaging in Security Council discussions and endorsing a December 2004 memorandum between the Sudanese government and the that built momentum for the January 9, 2005, , which ended two decades of north-south civil war. He also voiced criticisms of the ' structural weaknesses, describing the Security Council as "a very weak power" despite its centrality to the organization's authority, and highlighting inefficiencies in bodies like the , which included member states with poor records. Despite policy disagreements with other ambassadors, Danforth maintained personal rapport with colleagues and through his approachable demeanor. Danforth announced his resignation on December 2, 2004, after approximately five months in the role, stating he intended to depart by January 20, 2005, to spend more time with his wife, , who was recovering from a severe ankle injury sustained in a fall. In his letter to President Bush, he affirmed availability for special assignments but cited family priorities as the primary reason, though reports noted underlying frustrations with the UN's operational limitations. In a farewell address, he defended the UN's value while underscoring the need for reform to enhance its effectiveness in addressing global conflicts.

Religious and ecclesiastical involvement

Ordination as Episcopal priest

Danforth developed an interest in the Episcopal priesthood during his undergraduate studies in religion at , where he graduated in 1958. Initially without plans for ordination, he enrolled at for theological training, completing a degree while concurrently pursuing legal studies at . This dual path reflected his intention to integrate faith with professional ambitions, as he advanced through two of the three required years of divinity coursework before entering law school. He was ordained as a in the in 1963, following completion of his divinity degree. The following year, in 1964, Danforth was ordained as a , marking his formal entry into the clergy. These occurred amid his transition to legal practice, admitted to the bar in 1963. Immediately after ordination, Danforth served as an assistant in from 1963 to 1966, while working in at a firm. He later took on roles as associate in (1966–1968), and at Grace Church in (1968–1969), demonstrating early efforts to balance ministerial duties with secular career demands before fully entering .

Integration of faith with public life

Danforth pursued as an in 1963 and in 1964, shortly after graduating from , while establishing a legal career. He briefly served as assistant rector at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in (1963–1966) and associate rector at Grace Church in (1966–1968), before entering politics as Missouri's attorney general in 1969. Throughout his subsequent roles—including three terms in the U.S. (1976–1995), U.S. to the (2004–2005), and special envoy to (2001–2004)—he retained his clerical standing without holding a full-time parish position, viewing the dual identities as complementary rather than conflicting. This integration manifested in his emphasis on faith as a personal guide for ethical decision-making in , rather than a prescriptive for policy. Danforth has consistently argued that religion's role in public life should foster and , countering dogmatic certainty that fuels division. In his 2006 book Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together, he critiqued the post-2004 election framing of "moral values" by evangelical conservatives, asserting that such absolutist claims—particularly on issues like stem cell research and —alienated moderates and undermined the Republican Party's broader appeal. He contended that true faith demands epistemic modesty, stating, "Whether religion is a reconciling or divisive force in America depends on the degrees of certainty or with which we claim its truths." This perspective informed his Senate record, where he supported and foreign aid rooted in compassion, while opposing extreme partisanship; for instance, he backed international family planning aid despite pro-life inclinations, prioritizing pragmatic outcomes over ideological purity. Public expressions of this integration intensified after his Senate tenure. In a March 30, 2005, New York Times op-ed titled "In the Name of Politics," Danforth resigned his UN ambassadorship, decrying the Republican-led intervention in the as an misuse of religious rhetoric to claim divine endorsement for partisan ends, which he saw as eroding church-state separation and public trust. A follow-up June 17, 2005, op-ed, "Onward, Moderate Christian Soldiers," urged mainstream Christians to reclaim public discourse from , emphasizing Jesus's parables of compassion over legalistic enforcement. In his 2015 The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics, he reiterated that functions best in politics by "speaking truth to power" through prophetic witness—gathering diverse voices for —rather than entangling faith with governmental authority or treating politics as an ultimate concern, which he equated with . Danforth's approach extended to institutional efforts, including co-founding the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at in 2012, which examines historical and contemporary intersections of faith and governance through empirical scholarship, prioritizing analysis over advocacy. He has warned that evangelical dominance in the GOP since the 1980s shifted the party toward cultural warfare, harming its electoral viability and moral credibility, as evidenced by his 2009 reflections on how rigid ideologies supplanted the inclusive he practiced. Yet, he affirmed religion's public utility in promoting virtues like forgiveness and community, drawing from traditions of and to model non-coercive influence in pluralistic democracy.

Post-Senate professional and political pursuits

Corporate and legal engagements

Following his retirement from the U.S. Senate in January 1995, Danforth returned to private legal practice as a partner at the St. Louis-based law firm , leveraging his extensive experience in and commerce policy. In this role, he focused on advisory services drawing from his senatorial tenure on committees such as , , and Transportation. Danforth served as Senior Legal Advisor to Inc., a technology company embroiled in litigation, from July 2006 until his resignation on October 25, 2007. His involvement provided strategic counsel amid the firm's high-stakes disputes with competitors like and Hynix Semiconductor over memory chip technologies. In June 2015, Danforth severed his decades-long association with following a disagreement over the firm's representation of clients in a against Edward Jones, a company led by a longtime Danforth political ally. He subsequently joined Dowd Bennett LLP as a partner, where he continues to contribute expertise in litigation, government relations, and corporate advisory matters informed by his prior roles.

Continued political influence and party critiques

Following his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1995, Danforth maintained influence within circles through endorsements, opinion writings, and advocacy for party reform. He co-founded the group Our Republican Legacy, which promotes traditional GOP principles such as constitutional fidelity, fiscal responsibility, market economics, and , aiming to counter what its members view as deviations under recent leadership. In July 2024, Danforth discussed the organization's mission on , emphasizing the need for the party to reclaim its foundational values amid the 2024 presidential campaign. Danforth has selectively endorsed candidates aligning with his vision of principled conservatism, even outside party lines. On August 28, 2024, he backed independent Jared Young in Missouri's U.S. Senate race against incumbent Republican Josh Hawley, stating Young "embraces the ideas that have always defined the Republican Party." He described the endorsement as a statement against the party's current trajectory, while affirming his ongoing Republican identity. Danforth's critiques of the Republican Party center on its transformation under , which he argues has eroded core conservative tenets. In an August 25, 2017, Washington Post , he warned that had "corrupted" the GOP through personal attacks and disregard for institutional norms, urging Republicans to disassociate to preserve a responsibly conservative . He reiterated this in 2021, labeling the party a "grotesque caricature" of its former self—neither strong nor responsible—particularly after Hawley's role in objecting to the 2020 election certification, which Danforth linked to the events. Expressing regret for mentoring Hawley early in his career, Danforth compared himself to "Dr. " for contributing to the senator's rise. In more recent writings, Danforth has called for ditching "" influences to restore , , and unity. A October 15, 2025, Wall Street Journal co-authored by Danforth argued the GOP must return to basics, as its current path undermines America's political center. An October 20, 2024, Kansas City Star piece urged Missouri Republicans to reject Hawley for prioritizing loyalty over conservative values. Danforth positions these critiques as internal reform efforts, not abandonment, consistently advocating a centrist shift within the party rather than alignment with progressive alternatives.

Writings and intellectual contributions

Major publications

Danforth's primary authored works focus on the interplay between , , and governance, drawing from his experiences in , , and the priesthood. His debut book, Resurrection: The Confirmation of , published in 1994 by PublicAffairs, chronicles his leadership as ranking minority member of the Committee during the 1991 confirmation hearings for nominee , emphasizing procedural fairness amid intense partisan scrutiny and allegations of . In Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides and How to Move Forward Together, released in September 2006 by Viking (an imprint of Penguin), Danforth critiques the politicization of evangelical Christianity within the , arguing that rigid moral stances on issues like stem cell research and have alienated moderates and undermined broader conservative principles; the book advocates for a more inclusive, less doctrinaire approach to faith in . Danforth's 2015 publication, The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics, issued on October 13 by , expands on these themes by proposing that traditions—rather than fundamentalist strains—offer a model for constructive , urging religious believers to prioritize , , and over ideological certainty in addressing political divisions.

Themes on religion, politics, and moderation

In his 2006 book Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together, Danforth critiques the Party's post-2004 election embrace of evangelical positions on issues such as restrictions and opposition to research, arguing that these stances reflect a "divisive " mentality that prioritizes confrontation over the inclusive compassion central to . He contends that politicizing faith in this manner alienates moderate believers and nonbelievers alike, urging instead a form of religious engagement that fosters reconciliation and rejects the elevation of specific policy preferences to doctrinal absolutes. Danforth, drawing from his dual roles as an ordained priest and former senator, emphasizes that authentic faith should inform through moral persuasion rather than coercion or partisan loyalty, warning against the idolatry of treating political victories as ultimate spiritual ends. Expanding on these ideas in The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics (2015), Danforth advocates for religious moderates to counteract by reclaiming public from ideological extremes, asserting that faith's relevance lies in promoting , , and pragmatic problem-solving over rigid . He criticizes both parties for exploiting religious —Republicans through issues and Democrats through secular dismissals—but places particular responsibility on conservative to embody moderation, as exemplified by historical figures like , whose faith emphasized humility and unity amid division. This theme aligns with his 2005 New York Times op-ed "Onward, Moderate Christian Soldiers," where he challenges the notion that evangelical monopolizes authentic , calling for a broader representation of faith that supports tolerance and rejects the conflation of scripture with partisan agendas. Throughout his writings, Danforth maintains that religion's political role should be constructive and non-coercive, grounded in traditions of reason and inclusivity, to bridge divides rather than exacerbate them; he views excessive partisanship as a of faith that undermines democratic deliberation and personal spiritual integrity. This perspective, informed by his experiences in the and , positions moderation not as compromise for its own sake but as a faithful response to human fallibility and the complexity of .

Personal life and legacy

Family and personal relationships

John Claggett Danforth was born on September 5, 1936, in , , to Donald Danforth, president of Company, and Dorothy (née Claggett) Danforth, as the youngest of their four children. The Danforth family derived its wealth and prominence from , founded by John's paternal grandfather, William H. Danforth, in 1894. Danforth married Bradshaw Dobson on September 7, 1957; the couple remained wed until her death on September 5, 2020, after 63 years of marriage. Danforth was recognized by her husband for her pivotal role in supporting his and family life, including the establishment in 2016 of the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professorship in Law and Religion at in her honor. The Danforths had five children: , , , , and John. As of the early , they also had 15 grandchildren. Danforth has described his family upbringing as emphasizing moral responsibility and , influenced by his parents' values and the family's business legacy.

Assessments of conservative record versus later moderation

Danforth's Senate tenure from 1977 to 1995 established him as a reliable conservative, particularly on fiscal restraint, national defense, and pro-life issues; he supported President Ronald Reagan's economic policies, including tax cuts, and was an early advocate for restrictions on abortion funding abroad via the , which he helped reinstate. His voting alignment with Republican leadership was consistent, earning praise from as having a "solid" record on core party priorities like and strong posture. Assessments from conservative outlets highlight this era as evidence of principled Reagan-era conservatism, with Danforth voting to sustain filibusters against expansive federal programs and defending traditional values without the overt religious rhetoric that later dominated the party. Post-Senate, Danforth's public commentary increasingly critiqued the Party's entanglement with evangelical activism, which he argued distorted its traditional focus on individual liberty and ; in a 2005 New York Times op-ed, he contended that the GOP had become "the political arm of Christian ," citing actions like the Terri Schiavo as examples of overreach that prioritized doctrinal purity over . His 2006 book Faith and Politics elaborated that right-wing evangelicals had "hijacked" the party, introducing divisive that alienated moderates and contradicted his view of as a personal, non-coercive influence on policy. By the and 2020s, Danforth endorsed federal funding for research in 2004—contrasting his earlier pro-life stance—and denounced figures like for promoting election denialism, positioning himself against what he saw as populist extremism. Conservative assessments often portray Danforth's evolution as a shift toward moderation or even apostasy, with critics like Rush Limbaugh accusing him of seeking to marginalize Christian conservatives to reclaim a "big tent" that accommodated liberal social views, thereby weakening the party's moral clarity on issues like abortion and traditional marriage. Supporters, including fellow Republicans, counter that Danforth remained a fiscal and foreign policy hawk—opposing deficits and isolationism—while his critiques reflected the party's rightward lurch under influences like the Tea Party and Trump, not personal ideological drift; an American Enterprise Institute analysis frames his warnings as rooted in his original conservative record, urging a return to unifying leadership over factional dominance. Danforth himself maintains consistency, describing his politics as traditionally Republican—emphasizing moderation in religion's public role—against a party he views as having devolved into a "grotesque caricature" via identity-driven polarization. This debate underscores tensions between establishment conservatism and ascendant cultural warriors, with Danforth's priestly background amplifying perceptions of his moderation as principled restraint rather than compromise.

References

  1. [1]
    DANFORTH, John Claggett - Bioguide Search
    DANFORTH, John Claggett, a Senator from Missouri; born in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Mo., September 5, 1936; graduated, St. Louis County Day (High) School ...
  2. [2]
    John C. Danforth - Dowd Bennett
    John C. Danforth ... Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Jack was elected and served eight years as attorney general for the state of Missouri.
  3. [3]
    John C. Danforth - Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame
    Danforth has authored two books: "Resurrection" and "Faith and Politics." He began his political career in 1968, when he was elected attorney general of ...
  4. [4]
    John C. Danforth - The Episcopal Church
    Danforth represented the State of Missouri in the United States Senate for 18 years, retiring in 1994. Currently, Danforth is Chairman of the Danforth ...
  5. [5]
    Faith in the center | Princeton Alumni Weekly
    As Missouri attorney general, Danforth had hired Thomas as a young lawyer and later brought him into his Senate office. He agreed to usher him through the ...
  6. [6]
    john danforth as special counsel to head waco review
    Sep 9, 1999 · (Jack) Danforth as Special Counsel to head a review into events surrounding the assault on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas on April ...
  7. [7]
    Independent Waco Probe Clears Feds - CBS News
    Jul 21, 2000 · John Danforth released his investigation's preliminary conclusions about the incident that claimed more than 80 lives. "The tragedy at Waco ...
  8. [8]
    Restoring Confidence in the FBI: Statement of Hon. John Danforth
    After 14 months of exhaustive investigation, costing the taxpayers $17 million, I am absolutely convinced that the FBI had nothing to hide about Waco.
  9. [9]
    Former MO senator investigated Waco. He says conspiracy theories ...
    Apr 3, 2023 · Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, a Missouri Republican, was the special counsel who investigated the Waco standoff.
  10. [10]
    Danforth, John C. 1936- (Jack Danforth, John Claggett Danforth)
    Born September 5, 1936, in St. Louis, MO; son of Donald (president of Ralston Purina) and Dorothy Danforth; married Sally B. Dobson, September 7, 1957; ...Missing: siblings childhood
  11. [11]
    John Danforth, U.S. Senator and Ambassador to the United Nations
    Feb 27, 2025 · Danforth is the grandson of William H. Danforth, founder of Ralston Purina. His father was Donald Danforth, a former chief executive of the ...Missing: background childhood
  12. [12]
    'Great. Truly great.' - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis
    called Bill — was the oldest of Dorothy Claggett Danforth and Donald Danforth Sr.'s four children. He was ...Missing: background childhood
  13. [13]
    As politician and priest, John C. Danforth spent a lifetime trying to do ...
    Sep 18, 2021 · Somewhere just to the southeast of us is the collegiate-gothic house in Clayton where these brothers grew up with their other siblings, Dotty ...Missing: background | Show results with:background<|separator|>
  14. [14]
    Sharing Remarks from Sen. John C. Danforth
    Feb 18, 2025 · Danforth was Attorney General for the State of Missouri from 1968-1976. He graduated with honors from Princeton University and then earned a ...
  15. [15]
    [PDF] John C. Danforth Papers (C4532)
    John Danforth was elected in 1968 as attorney general and served until 1976, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate following Senator Stuart Symington's ...<|separator|>
  16. [16]
    Danforth's political career marked by steadfastness, integrity - CNN
    Sep 8, 1999 · He received and undergraduate degree in divinity and a law degree from Yale, and was a lawyer in New York and St. Louis before entering politics ...
  17. [17]
    Remembering 1968, when Jack Danforth upended GOP politics
    Nov 4, 2018 · Jack Danforth had pulled off what no other Republican had accomplished for 40 years: getting elected statewide in Missouri.Missing: spoils system
  18. [18]
    Christopher 'Kit' Bond was a public servant who did it well
    We did away with the spoils system, abolished the lug and hired the best people we could find regardless of party affiliation. In 1971 ...
  19. [19]
    The changing role of the Missouri Attorney General
    Sep 10, 2023 · Danforth remembers using antitrust law to halt a nationwide trucking strike impeding refueling stations, making Missouri “an oasis for truck ...Missing: accomplishments | Show results with:accomplishments
  20. [20]
    PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF CENTRAL MISSOURI et al ...
    John C. DANFORTH, Attorney General of the State of Missouri, Appellant, v. PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF CENTRAL MISSOURI et al. Supreme Court.
  21. [21]
    Missouri Senate Nominee Dies In Crash Alter Upset Victory
    Aug 4, 1976 · Representative Jerry Litton, who won the Democratic nomination for the seat of retiring Senator Stuart Symington in today's primary, was killed tonight in a ...Missing: results | Show results with:results
  22. [22]
    Death of Missouri Winner Roils Democratic Politics
    Aug 5, 1976 · The accidental death yesterday of Representative Jerry L. Litton, who had just swept to an upset victory in the race for nomination for the United States ...Missing: results | Show results with:results
  23. [23]
    Hearnes Is Facing Difficult Fight To Succeed Symington in Senate
    Oct 18, 1976 · JOPLIN, Mo.—His campaign office in St. Louis had scheduled Warren E. Hearnes, Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, ...
  24. [24]
    Former Missouri Gov. Warren Hearnes is seriously ill | Wichita Eagle
    Hearnes was defeated in the general election by Republican John Danforth. Hearnes also ran unsuccessfully for state auditor in 1978. Hearnes' attempts to ...
  25. [25]
    States in the Senate | Missouri Senators
    CONGRESS, SENATOR, TERM BEGAN, TERM ENDED, COMMENTS. Class 1. 17th-31st, Thomas Hart Benton (R, JR, J, D), Aug. 10, 1821, Mar. 3, 1851.
  26. [26]
    John Claggett DANFORTH, Congress, MO (1936) - InfoPlease
    DANFORTH John Claggett , a Senator from Missouri; born in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Mo., September 5, 1936; graduated, St. Louis County Day (High) School ...
  27. [27]
    [PDF] what lessons can congress learn from the tax reform act of 1986 ...
    Feb 10, 2015 · As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, he played a piv- otal role in the drafting and passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Of course, ...
  28. [28]
    The 1986 Tax Reform Debate and the Lessons for Today
    After passage, the top personal rate had been reduced to 28 percent, while the top corporate rate had been reduced to 34 percent.
  29. [29]
    John Danforth, Tilting at the Tax Bill - The Washington Post
    Sep 26, 1986 · John Danforth, Tilting at the Tax Bill ... The Republican senator from Missouri had been a vocal supporter of the 1986 tax overhaul bill.
  30. [30]
    DANFORTH ASKS, 'WHERE HAS ALL THE HOUSING GONE?'
    Danforth, R-Mo., has placed in the Record a report that documents the debilitating effect on low-income housing wrought by the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
  31. [31]
    THE TAX BILL OF 1986; Danforth Promises Determined Battle
    Aug 20, 1986 · Senator Danforth supported the tax bill that the Senate passed in June, but his enthusiasm steadily ebbed as the conferees began substituting ...Missing: Reform Act
  32. [32]
    [PDF] BREAKFAST WITH SENATORS DANFORTH AND GLENN - CIA
    John C. Danforth (RI. Mel Hancock (R). 217.162 (74%). 61.378. Limit textile imports (1985). N. (21%). Amend Constitution to require balanced budget (1986). Y.
  33. [33]
    How to Successfully Negotiate Deficit Reduction in the U.S. Budget
    [43] Cochaired by Kerrey and Republican senator John Danforth, the commission included 10 senators, 10 House members, 8 private-sector leaders, a governor, and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  34. [34]
    Kerrey-Danforth Commission Findings Still Need Solutions Thirty ...
    Sep 4, 2024 · Here are seven findings that 30 of our 32 commission members agreed to 30 years ago. Sadly, these findings are still valid.
  35. [35]
    JOHN DANFORTH'S NOBLE CALLINGS - The Washington Post
    Oct 7, 1991 · An example is his all but consistent voting record against Senate pay raises. "It's just not worth it," says Danforth, who obviously doesn't ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  36. [36]
    FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER DANFORTH URGES ... - Tax Notes
    Other socially beneficial tax provisions are to expire at the end of 1991. I have supported and cosponsored bills to make permanent the deduction for health ...Missing: key | Show results with:key
  37. [37]
    REAGAN TAX TESTIMONY DRAWS SKEPTICISM
    May 14, 1981 · Senator Danforth said that ''a lot of us feel that if we were to do this'' -pass the three-year tax cut - ''there would be no responsible way to ...
  38. [38]
    History - U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science ...
    Warren G. Magnuson (D-WA) 1977-1978 · Howard W. Cannon (D-NV) 1978-1981 · Bob Packwood (R-OR) 1981-1985 · John Danforth (R-MO) 1985-1987 · Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) ...
  39. [39]
    John Danforth Oral History | Miller Center
    Oct 25, 2005 · We got Republican support for it, but we fell, as you said, a vote short. You know something, when you fall—and I don't remember this clearly ...Missing: fiscal conservative
  40. [40]
    Danforth Nominated For U.N. Ambassador - The Washington Post
    Danforth, now a lawyer in St. Louis, was also criticized for a Senate vote against imposing sanctions on South Africa's apartheid regime in the mid-1980s and a ...
  41. [41]
    John Danforth—Bad Choice for UN Ambassador - Marjorie Cohn
    He voted against imposing sanctions on South Africa for its system of apartheid in the mid-80s, and for cutting funds for U.N. peacekeeping in 1990s. But ...
  42. [42]
    John C. Danforth - SourceWatch
    Some of John Danforth's controversial stances in the Senate included voting against sanctions on the apartheid government of South Africa in the mid-1980s ...
  43. [43]
    Senator John C. Danforth (1936 - Congress.gov
    Read biography. Party, Republican. Senate, Missouri 95th-103rd (1977-1995). Member Activity by John C. Danforth. Download Results. Sort
  44. [44]
    Bork's Nomination Is Rejected, 58-42; Reagan 'Saddened'
    Oct 24, 1987 · The Senate decisively rejected the nomination of Judge Robert H. Bork. The vote was 58 against confirmation and 42 in favor.
  45. [45]
    Clarence Thomas: Sen. Danforth is 'the reason why I'm here'
    May 5, 2017 · His confirmation was nearly derailed by Anita Hill's claims that Thomas sexually harassed her. Throughout the hearings, Danforth, an ordained ...Missing: controversy | Show results with:controversy
  46. [46]
    Support for Judge Thomas Nomination | Video | C-SPAN.org
    Oct 10, 1991 · Senator John Danforth (R-Missouri), the chief Senate sponsor of U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Clarence Thomas' Supreme Court nomination, ...Missing: judicial | Show results with:judicial
  47. [47]
    'It was just awful': The Clarence Thomas hearings, in the words of ...
    Apr 9, 2016 · Although the Judiciary Committee voted not to approve Thomas's nomination, the full Senate voted 52-48 to confirm. Advertisement. Danforth in a ...<|separator|>
  48. [48]
    John Danforth dodges Kavanaugh question on CNN, recounts ...
    Sep 19, 2018 · Danforth was a supporter of Justice Clarence Thomas during his controversial SCOTUS nomination process in 1991. Anita Hill, who had been Thomas ...
  49. [49]
    [PDF] A Commentary on the Nomination and Confirmation of Justice Thomas
    First, Justice Thomas and his sponsor,. Senator John Danforth, had asked for the Phase II hearings.73 Sec- ond, Justice Thomas spent much of his professional ...
  50. [50]
    Danforth to Lead Search for Peace as Special Envoy
    Sep 6, 2001 · President Bush today announced the appointment of John C. Danforth as his Special Envoy to lead the search for peace in Sudan.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  51. [51]
    President Appoints Danforth as Special Envoy to the Sudan
    Sep 6, 2001 · THE PRESIDENT: I'm pleased to announce today my appointment of John Danforth of Missouri as America's envoy for peace in the Sudan. It's my ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  52. [52]
    History of Senator John Danforth as Envoy for Peace in Sudan
    May 14, 2002 · Senator Danforth undertook two missions to Sudan and the region (in November 2001 and January 2002), and one mission (in December 2001) to ...Missing: record | Show results with:record
  53. [53]
    History of Senator John Danforth as Envoy for Peace in Sudan
    May 14, 2002 · The President named Senator Danforth his Envoy for Peace in Sudan on September 6, 2001. Senator Danforth undertook two missions to Sudan and the ...Missing: contributions | Show results with:contributions
  54. [54]
    Backgrounder on the Danforth Report - Human Rights Watch
    May 16, 2002 · John Danforth was appointed by President George W. Bush as his special envoy for peace in Sudan on September 6, 2001. His mission was to ...
  55. [55]
    Senator Danforth as Special Envoy to the Sudan - HKS Case Program
    Oct 14, 2009 · Unlike previous envoys, Danforth proposed specific tests and benchmarks to determine if peace between the two parties was even feasible. He ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  56. [56]
    The Outlook for Peace in the Sudan
    May 14, 2002 · Senator John Danforth's report to the President on the outlook for peace in Sudan.Missing: contributions resignation
  57. [57]
    Sudan: Danforth peace initiative progress - ReliefWeb
    May 15, 2002 · The Danforth peace mission has resulted in major steps towards improving the human rights crisis in Sudan, Human Rights Watch said today.Missing: resignation | Show results with:resignation
  58. [58]
    Senator Danforth Sworn in as Ambassador to the United Nations
    Jul 1, 2004 · In all our work at the U.N., Ambassador John C. Danforth will be a strong voice for the humane and decent conscience of America. One of ...
  59. [59]
    Senate Confirms Danforth as U.N. Ambassador | Fox News
    Jun 24, 2004 · WASHINGTON – The Senate on Thursday agreed to send one of its own, former Sen. John Danforth (search) of Missouri, to the United Nations to ...
  60. [60]
    Sudan Agreement Endorsed by US Officials at UN - VOA
    The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Danforth, says the recently signed peace memorandum between the government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples ...
  61. [61]
    Danforth Resigns After Airing Complaints About U.N. | PBS News
    Dec 3, 2004 · U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth announced his resignation Thursday, less than six months after President Bush named him ...Missing: contributions | Show results with:contributions
  62. [62]
    Danforth's tenure marked by frustration - Sudan Tribune
    Dec 8, 2004 · 20, two days before Danforth formally submitted his resignation to President George W. Bush. The interview took place aboard Air Force Two, en ...
  63. [63]
    During five months at U.N., Danforth's prime concern was bringing ...
    Dec 3, 2004 · Danforth's outgoing personality made him personally popular with both the press and his fellow ambassadors though many disagreed with U.S. ...
  64. [64]
    U.N. Ambassador John Danforth resigns - Dec 3, 2004 - CNN
    Dec 3, 2004 · Danforth, 68, said he plans to leave the United Nations on January 20, the day Bush will be inaugurated for a second term. He told Bush he would ...
  65. [65]
    U.N. Rep Resigns After 5 Months - CBS News
    Dec 2, 2004 · Danforth sent his letter of resignation six days after the Rice appointment, saying he wanted to retire with his wife, Sally, to his home in St ...Missing: process contributions
  66. [66]
    Danforth Resigns as U.S. Ambassador to United Nations - USInfo.org
    Danforth, citing a desire to spend time with his wife of 47 years, has asked to leave his post by January 20, when Bush will be inaugurated into his second term ...
  67. [67]
    Danforth Pays Tribute to UN in Farewell Address - VOA
    Oct 30, 2009 · Ambassador Danforth defended the United Nations against U.S. critics, and assured Council members of Washington's commitment to multilateral ...Missing: tenure | Show results with:tenure
  68. [68]
    John Danforth On Faith, Evangelicals And Politics - NPR
    May 8, 2009 · He served as special envoy to Sudan and ambassador to the U.N. in the George W. Bush administration. He is also an ordained Episcopal priest and ...
  69. [69]
    Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides America ...
    Former Republican senator and Episcopal priest examines how religious values divide American politics and proposes ways to find common ground through secular ...
  70. [70]
    John Danforth's "Faith and Politics" - Stanford CIS
    Oct 5, 2006 · "Whether religion is a reconciling or divisive force in America depends on the degrees of certainty or humility with which we claim its truths ...
  71. [71]
    John Danforth — Conservative Politics and Moderate Religion
    John Danforth is an Episcopal priest and was an Ambassador to the United Nations. He served three terms as a Republican Senator and a special envoy to Sudan for ...<|separator|>
  72. [72]
    Opinion | In the Name of Politics - The New York Times
    Mar 30, 2005 · Op-Ed article by John C Danforth, former senator and Episcopal minister, says he does not fault religious conservatives for political action ...
  73. [73]
    Opinion | Onward, Moderate Christian Soldiers - The New York Times
    Jun 17, 2005 · Op-Ed Contributor John C. Danforth is an Episcopal minister and former Republican senator from Missouri. A version of this article appears in ...
  74. [74]
    The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics
    John Danforth offers a fascinating, thoughtful, and deeply personal look at the state of American politics today—and how religion can be a bridge over our ...Missing: integration | Show results with:integration
  75. [75]
    Danforth: an Ultimate Concern of Politics is Idolatrous
    Nov 8, 2022 · Danforth has an undergraduate degree from Princeton in religion and received his Master of Divinity degree at Yale Divinity School. He is now an ...
  76. [76]
    Home - John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics
    We are a dedicated group of scholars and professionals working to support outstanding analysis of the historical and contemporary intertwinings of religion and ...Public Events · People Archive · About the Center · Fellowships<|separator|>
  77. [77]
    John Danforth on Religion and Politics | March 30, 2016 - PBS
    Mar 30, 2016 · Religion, he says, offers politics “a place, when it's functioning as it should, where different people come together with all different ideas ...
  78. [78]
    John Danforth Resigns as Rambus Senior Legal Advisor
    Oct 25, 2007 · Rambus announced the resignation of John Danforth who had been Senior Legal Advisor to the Company since July 2006, and prior to that had ...
  79. [79]
    Danforth changes law firms after rift over lawsuit - Washington Times
    Jun 3, 2015 · Former Republican U.S. Sen. John Danforth has cut his decades-long ties to a St. Louis law firm after a rift over a high-profile case that ...
  80. [80]
    Our Republican Legacy | Republican Party
    Our Republican Legacy promotes Unity, the Constitution, Fiscal Responsibility, the Market Economy, and Peace through Strength.
  81. [81]
    Former Sen. John Danforth on Campaign 2024 and Future of the ...
    Jul 12, 2024 · Former Senator John Danforth (R-MO) talked about campaign 2024 and the Republican National Convention, as well as the mission of the group "Our Republican ...Missing: post- influence
  82. [82]
    John Danforth making a 'statement' with endorsement of Jared Young
    Oct 4, 2024 · Danforth emphasized that, despite his endorsement of an independent candidate, he remains a committed Republican, but feels the Republican Party ...Missing: influence | Show results with:influence
  83. [83]
    John Danforth again endorses an independent for US Senate
    Aug 29, 2024 · John Danforth said Jared Young “embraces the ideas that have always defined the Republican Party and have been universally accepted across ...
  84. [84]
    Sen. Danforth on Trump in The Washington Post
    To my fellow Republicans: We cannot allow Donald Trump to redefine the Republican Party. That is what he is doing, as long as we give the ...
  85. [85]
    GOP a 'grotesque caricature' of what it was before, says former Sen ...
    Feb 3, 2021 · John Danforth, a former Republican senator, garnered attention last month when he denounced Sen. Josh Hawley's role in the Capitol attacks.
  86. [86]
    Danforth says regrets over Hawley make him feel like 'Dr ...
    Feb 3, 2021 · Former U.S. Sen. Jack Danforth says he feels 'what Dr. Frankenstein must have felt' as he reflects on his role promoting Sen. Josh Hawley.
  87. [87]
    https://www.wsj.com/opinion/republicans-ditch-maga-and-return-to-the-basics-1a3d3073
  88. [88]
    John Danforth: Missouri Republicans, fire MAGA Josh Hawley
    Oct 20, 2024 · The longtime MO GOP senator backs Jared Young, an independent candidate running to restore conservative values, unlike Donald Trump's party.
  89. [89]
    Former Missouri Sen. Danforth wants GOP to move away from Trump
    May 22, 2024 · Danforth, 87, who served in the Senate from 1976 to 1995 and as Missouri's attorney general from 1969 to 1976, was at the cutting edge of ...Missing: tenure | Show results with:tenure
  90. [90]
    John Danforth - Penguin Random House
    An ordained Episcopal priest, he is the author of Faith and Politics and Resurrection: The Confirmation of Clarence Thomas. He is a partner in the law firm of ...
  91. [91]
    Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides America ...
    In stock Free deliveryAn ordained Episcopal priest, he is the author of Faith and Politics and Resurrection: The Confirmation of Clarence Thomas. He is a partner in the law firm of ...
  92. [92]
    Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divid…
    Rating 3.5 (175) At its core, Danforth's book is a study of Christians who choose to participate in the reconciling & healing church, or the divisive church. Divisive church ...
  93. [93]
    Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides America ...
    Sep 20, 2006 · Senator John Danforth argues that religious people should engage in politics, but, he notes, "there is a difference between engaging in politics ...
  94. [94]
    John Danforth: "The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People ...
    Oct 15, 2015 · Danforth has criticized social conservatives for using God in polarizing ways, but he sees another role for religion in public life.
  95. [95]
    John Danforth on Religion and Politics - YouTube
    Apr 4, 2016 · American politics today have become so partisan that many say the political system is badly broken. Former US Senator John Danforth of ...
  96. [96]
    Ex-Senator Danforth Discusses “Faith in Politics” | PBS News
    Oct 5, 2006 · In his new book "Faith in Politics," former Republican Sen. John Danforth from Missouri calls for moderation and tolerance in religious and ...
  97. [97]
    Religion Can Help Restore Civility To Politics, Former Senators Say
    Dec 9, 2014 · Danforth noted that while the American people may feel helpless in doing anything about the current state of political discourse, they actually ...Missing: moderation | Show results with:moderation<|control11|><|separator|>
  98. [98]
    Inazu installed as Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law ...
    Oct 31, 2016 · John C. Danforth in honor of his wife, Sally Dobson Danforth, and the important role she played in his life and the lives of their children.Missing: personal | Show results with:personal
  99. [99]
    Contributors - John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics
    Sen. Danforth established in 2016 a distinguished professorship to honor his wife Sally Dobson Danforth and the important role she has played in his life and ...<|separator|>
  100. [100]
    The Danforth Family: The Power of Reason | St. Louis Magazine
    Aug 20, 2015 · His father, John and William's brother, chaired the American Youth Foundation and founded a camp for kids with brain injuries. And John's ...Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  101. [101]
    A Warning for Republicans from Former Senator John Danforth
    Sep 27, 2023 · Most notably, Danforth championed Clarence Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court. His reputation among his Senate colleagues meant his ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  102. [102]
    Danforth had doubts over 2000 V.P. spot - STLPR
    Nov 10, 2010 · Bush describes Danforth as "honest, ethical and forthright. ... His voting record over three terms in the Senate was solid. He had earned my ...
  103. [103]
    What Ever Happened to Moderate Republicans?
    Nov 19, 2007 · ... John Danforth's emergence as an unlikely but crucial figure. On ... " He's an ordained Episcopal minister. He literally chaperoned ...
  104. [104]
    John Danforth, Former GOP Senator and Episcopal Priest, Calls ...
    Jan 30, 2025 · After helping launch Josh Hawley's political career, Danforth repeatedly denounced the senator for giving fist-pumping support to election lies ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  105. [105]
    Danforth Urges Republicans to End Christian Right's Influence
    Sep 17, 2006 · Critics such as conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh have accused Danforth of trying to push Christian conservatives out of politics. But ...<|separator|>