Just how big a Democratic donor was Hassan Nemazee?
He and his wife (mostly he) gave the Democratic House and Senate campaign committees $191,700 over the past three election cycles, 2006, 2008, and 2010.
But the Nemazees' personal generosity -- allegedly with other people's money -- hardly tells the whole story. In 2006, a landmark year for Dem fundraising, Nemazee served as national finance chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee under Chuck Schumer. That's the cycle when the Dems won six seats and took control of the Senate.
Nemazee also appears with jet-setters David Geffen, Alan Solow, and Jeffrey Katzenberg on a list of the top bundlers for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, clocking in at the maximum "$500,000 or more" range.
As for his personal giving, take a look at this Open Secrets page for Nemazee. Favorite recipients include the Iranian American PAC, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and sundry other prominent Democrats.
Since the scandal broke, politicians including New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer have announced they will give Nemazee's donations to charity. President Obama, the DNC, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee also said they would donate Nemazee's donations to charity.

TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com

Theda Skocpol
September 21, 2009 7:26 PM
He was the leader of those threatening the DNC with fund withdrawal during the primaries -- pressuring on behalf of bolstering Hillary Clinton's run at the nomination. He may have switched toward Obama after the primaries, but Nemazee was not with Obama from the start. Not at all.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
happycozy
September 21, 2009 9:43 PM in reply to Theda Skocpol
Agreed. But Obama is always guilty by association, so I expect Limpbowel, Klannity, and Beckers to run with this news.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Justin Elliott
September 21, 2009 11:18 PM in reply to Theda Skocpol
Guess he didn't make good on that threat to the DNC, did he?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Micheline
September 21, 2009 10:10 PM
Here is TPM fanning the flames.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Campesino
September 22, 2009 4:11 PM
Culture of corruption
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?