The three Ds get Morin going

Debates, Darts and Democratic values-three "D"s that (almost) sum up chair of the Democratic Executive Committee of Highlands County, Cheyenne Morin.

He arrived in Highlands County in 2007 with a colorful history in politics and the desire to do good.
Dressed in a striped collared shirt, jeans and Birkenstocks, this 33-year-old native of upstate New York talked about his political career and local responsibilities at the Democratic Party office.

"I'm responsible for the overall direction that the party takes," said Morin, who began his political career as a legislative editor for a bill-drafting commission in New York State. That job entailed working with a team of 300-400 people to take a legislator's idea and turn it into a floor bill.

"I kind of always knew that politics was what I wanted to do as a little kid. Every decision was made with that in mind." His first political memory is of Ronald Reagan being inaugurated in January 1981. "I don't remember exactly why but I do remember not liking him even as a little kid," said Morin.

Three years later, young Morin took a temporary position with the New York State United Teachers Union, an in-house lobby firm.

He did research for the lobbyists, coordinated lobby days and organized conferences, one of which featured his personal hero, former Vermont governor and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dr. Howard Dean, as the keynote speaker.

"Howard Dean is one of the few people I've ever been star-struck by," said Morin of the medical professional and health insurance reform advocate. As an impressionable 18-year-old, Morin actually started his college career in pre-med because of Dean, but switched to political science before too long.

Morin also had the opportunity to meet both Clintons. "I'm a huge, huge fan of Bill Clinton," said Morin. "As a person he comes off as a bit of a dirt bag, but he has the best interests of the people at heart."

In politics, it is social programs that interest Morin most of all.

"I guess I've always been able to identify the things that I see as wrong with the world," explained Morin, who recalled a very emotional moment when he was five or six years old.

"After watching some 'Feed the Children' type infomercial, I just could not wrap my little brain around the fact the there were children in the world somewhere who were starving, and nobody was bringing them a sandwich. I've pretty much moved forward in my entire life with that kind of understanding of right and wrong."

Though a Democrat, Morin doesn't define himself along party lines, and he loves debating with those who have a different view.

"I personally go into every conversation with the attitude that you can sell me on what you are arguing. You probably can't, but occasionally some people do," said Morin.

Morin described politics as, "a thinking man's sport." "No matter where you are in the world, you can debate politics intelligently." He speaks with passion, yet complete composure about his favorite topics, including health care reform (he's a single payer advocate) and gay marriage (he's an openly gay man).

Since moving to Sebring in 2007, this champion swimmer (he went undefeated for five years in the 200 freestyle in high school and college) has been involved with the Democratic Party.
His other passion besides politics-darts.

While he has yet to carve out a favorite dart venue in Highlands County, Morin and his college buddy were unbeatable in Albany, N.Y. monopolizing the board from 5 p.m. to midnight as team after team tried to beat them.

Morin laughingly remembered a time he and his friend walked into a bar in another New York State town to play, and recognized two fellow dart players from their usual hangout.

"We walked into this random bar and these two guys recognized us, then just handed us their darts," chuckled Morin.

Another claim to fame-he can pitch the second best circle changeup in the world, taught to him by Johnny Podres of the Brooklyn Dodgers, whose kids he grew up with.

As far as hockey goes, he's a Penguins fan and celebrates the fact that he got to see Mario Lemieux's last Junior's tournament.

"I knew I was watching the best hockey player that ever lived," said Morin. He quickly added: "I can debate any Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe or Bobby Orr fan on that."