Democrat supporters emerge on Wall Street

The conventional wisdom right now is that the Democrats have so incensed the alternative investments industry that it's bent on funneling campaign contributions to the Republicans.

This comes despite the fact that some of the most bitter critics of Mitt Romney's private equity career were fellow Republicans -- even Newt Gingrich called Romney's business career "immoral."

In any case, it would be a mistake to say that the Democrats have lost all their support in the industry. According to AR, the list of new supporters include Scott Nathan, chief risk officer at Baupost Group, Lynn Meredith, wife of Meritage Capital founder Tom Meredith, Wim Kooyker, chairman of Blenheim Capital Management, and short seller Jim Chanos of Kynikos Associates.

"They join the list of Obama boosters that includes long-time Democratic donors David Shaw, founder of New York-based D. E. Shaw & Co. ($200,000-$500,000); Orin Kramer of New York-based Boston Provident ($500,000+); Marc Lasry of New York-based Avenue Capital Group ($100,000-$200,000); Eric Mindich of New York-based Eton Park Capital Management ($50,000-$100,000); and Tom Steyer of San Francisco-based Farallon Capital Management ($50,000-$100,000)."

Private equity has loomed large as campaign issue. We may see more giving on both sides as November approaches.

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