(Originally published in Greater Democracy)

Diner Democrats don’t want to be leaders. They don’t want to go to Washington. They believe in representational democracy and want to get good Representatives in Washington. Diner Democrats don’t even really want to be involved in political campaigns. If they have to, they will, and they will do a great job, because Diner Democrats are doers. They get things done.

Diner Democrats get involved in politics because they have to, because there is something important that needs to get done, that no one else is dealing with. They need to see that a park gets fixed or a bike path goes in.