Danforth Criticizes High Court’s Decision on Campaign Finance

Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth says the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision on campaign financing has damaged the U.S. political system.

The Independence Examiner reports Danforth said Thursday the decision in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission has put more distance between elected officials and voters. The ruling allows unlimited campaign spending by groups like corporations and unions operating independently of candidates.

Danforth made his remarks during a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence where Danforth received the library's annual Truman Public Service award. Danforth, a Republican, represented Missouri in the Senate for three terms.

He says while he'd like to see the Citizens United ruling done away with, he concedes it's unlikely. Danforth also says more citizen involvement is crucial to meaningful political reform.