Daniel B. Shapiro

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." 'International Lion of Judah Conference: Bios', United Jewish Communities website, accessed 25 March, 2009. 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. 'Obama's AIPAC speech (text as prepared for delivery)', Sun-Times website, 2 March, 2007 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.” James D. Besser, Obama Set For Big Jewish Push, Jewish Week, 16 February, 2007.
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 'Daniel Shapiro: Why He Matters', Who Runs Gov website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
*(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. Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "Hires of the Week", Washington Post, 13 February, 2007; Page A19.
*(2003 - 2007) Legislative advisor, and later deputy chief of staff to Senator Bill Nelson U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, "Nelson names longtime associate new chief of staff", Media Release, 25 March, 2003. (accessed 22 May, 2007). Shapiro's salary history while working for Nelson.'Daniel B Shapiro, Congressional Staffer - Salary Data', LEGISTORM website
*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 'Dan Shapiro', Jewish Virtual Library website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
==Affiliations==
*Member of National Security Council (2004 and ongoing since December 2008) 'Daniel Shapiro: Why He Matters', Who Runs Gov website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
*Vice President of Timmons and Company, Inc. (since 2007) Timmons & Company website, accessed 25 March, 2009.
==External Resources==
David Mikhail, "Divide over Palestinian authority could derail bill to limit funding" The Hill, 2 March, 2006.
==Notes==