Daniel B. Shapiro

From Powerbase
Jump to: navigation, search

Daniel B. Shapiro is a longtime political operator in the US Congress. Following a brief interlude at the National Security Council in 2004, he was appointed as a member of the forum again in 2008. He is touted as: "... a foreign policy specialist with particular expertise in the Middle East." [1] In 2007, Shapiro emerged as an advisor/strategist ("work on Middle East issues and Jewish outreach") for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Shapiro's ascendance coincided with Obama's emphasis on proving his pro-Israel credentials in the form of several speeches to Jewish audiences; Obama also delivered a major speech at the 2007 AIPAC conference. [2] James D. Besser writing for the Jewish Week outlines the effect Shapiro's recruitment will have:

With millions of campaign dollars at stake as well as votes in a handful of key primary states, the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is poised to dramatically increase its Jewish outreach. That includes the recruitment of top Jewish donors and advisers, and an expected major speech on Israel and the Middle East that a Democratic insider said “will set the baseline and establish Sen. Obama as a reliable, strong supporter of Israel.” [3]

While Shapiro was advisor to Bill Nelson, Nelson co-sponsored legislation with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to restrict US contacts with Palestinians, to criminalize Middle Eastern groups, and to torpedo the Dubai-Port Authority deal.

Career

  • (2008) Member of National Security Council [4]
  • (2007) Advisor, strategist and fund-raiser for Sen. Barack Obama. Shapiro will concurrently work with Timmons and Company, Inc. (a lobbying firm with cable-industry clients) -- VP (possible he is working for the Obama campaign via Timmons & Co. [5]
  • (2003 - 2007) Legislative advisor, and later deputy chief of staff to Senator Bill Nelson [6] Shapiro's salary history while working for Nelson.[7]
  • National Security Council -- official during the Clinton administration; Congressional liaison for National Security Adviser Sandy Berger
  • (1995 -1999) Legislative assistant and senior foreign policy adviser to Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
  • (1993 - 1995) as a professional staff member on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East, under Chairman Lee Hamilton (D-Indiana).
  • State Dept. position at the US Embassy in the United Arab Emirates [8]

Affiliations

External Resources

David Mikhail, "Divide over Palestinian authority could derail bill to limit funding" The Hill, 2 March, 2006.

Notes

  1. 'International Lion of Judah Conference: Bios', United Jewish Communities website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
  2. 'Obama's AIPAC speech (text as prepared for delivery)', Sun-Times website, 2 March, 2007
  3. James D. Besser, Obama Set For Big Jewish Push, Jewish Week, 16 February, 2007.
  4. 'Daniel Shapiro: Why He Matters', Who Runs Gov website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
  5. Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "Hires of the Week", Washington Post, 13 February, 2007; Page A19.
  6. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, "Nelson names longtime associate new chief of staff", Media Release, 25 March, 2003. (accessed 22 May, 2007).
  7. 'Daniel B Shapiro, Congressional Staffer - Salary Data', LEGISTORM website
  8. 'Dan Shapiro', Jewish Virtual Library website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
  9. 'Daniel Shapiro: Why He Matters', Who Runs Gov website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
  10. Timmons & Company website, accessed 25 March, 2009.