Carter is a Republican. Gary is a Democrat.

They met in 1984, during the epic U.S. Senate battle between Jesse Helms and Jim Hunt. Carter worked for Helms and Gary, for Hunt.

Years later, they became friends. They even worked together on some nonpolitical clients.

They enjoy talking about politics. So they started this blog in 2005.

They’re still talking. And they invite you to join the conversation.

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Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

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They’re cooperating!!

By Gary Pearce October 16, 2018

The Raleigh political world is abuzz and agog! The legislature and the Governor are cooperating! Democrats and Republicans are working together on hurricane relief!! Oh, happy day!!! Has a new age dawned? Have we entered an era of bipartisanship, brotherly love and dogs and cats living together? Not so fast, my friend. Pardon my cynicism,…

Mad Men

By Gary Pearce October 1, 2018

Just as Hurricane Florence upended the Carolinas, Hurricane Kavanaugh has upended the 2018 elections. Will there be a blue wave? Or will it look like that NASA photo of dark and dirty waters flooding into the ocean after Florence? It comes down to who is maddest. Is it women (and men who support them) energized…

A Teaching Moment

By Gary Pearce September 27, 2018

I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. How can you not? Her testimony was powerful, persuasive and painful. She clearly was traumatized by what Brett Kavanaugh did to her. Her life was derailed. And now she has to go through this. If Republicans stick with Kavanaugh, they have only one way to go: “Well, what a…

Disaster politics

By Gary Pearce September 24, 2018

Governor Cooper excelled at his first three tasks in the wake of Florence: command (resources), communicate (be safe) and comfort (we’re with you for the long haul). Now comes the long haul. And politics. And bureaucracy – federal, state and local. And inevitable human frustration at the pace of relief. Nearly 20 years ago, after…

The worst of times, the best of people

By Gary Pearce September 17, 2018

The worst times bring out the best in us. Before we go back to bashing each other over politics, let’s salute all those who rose to Florence. Salute first the responders who are always there first. Salute the thousands of volunteers who saved lives (human and animal), served meals and succored those in need. Salute…

The Gathering Storm

By Gary Pearce September 11, 2018

Carter once said a wave election is like a hurricane. You know it’s coming. But you don’t know if it’ll be a Category 1 or a 5. And you don’t know if it’ll hit Wilmington or Nags Head – or everywhere. We’ve got a big one coming at us now. We’ll worry about the election…

The Election, a Summary

By Carter Wrenn September 10, 2018

This year, after four elections with Obama in the White House, the political world has changed. We’re in a Blue Moon election where Democrats are voting heavier than usual and where Republican voter turnout is likely to be lower than usual. Independents blame both Republicans and Democrats for the political mess in Washington and, back…

The Election, a Summary

By Carter Wrenn September 8, 2018

This year, after four elections with Obama in the White House, the political world has changed. We’re in a Blue Moon election where Democrats are voting heavier than usual and where Republican voter turnout is likely to be lower than usual. Independents blame both Republicans and Democrats for the political mess in Washington and, back…

Political Ads

By Carter Wrenn September 7, 2018

This happened a long time ago but history repeats itself – and it’s repeating itself again today. Twenty-eight years ago, in 1990, Jesse Helms’ campaign ran a negative TV ad about Harvey Gantt – and the ad didn’t work. We’d taken a poll which showed voters agreed with Jesse and disagreed with Harvey Gantt on…

Getting the News

By Gary Pearce March 13, 2026

How do you get your news? Our statewide poll asked North Carolina voters what their primary…

MAGA-gator

By Gary Pearce March 12, 2026

Thom Tillis and Phil Berger fed the MAGA alligator. Then it ate them. Thomas Mills wrote…

Enough is Enough

By Gary Pearce March 11, 2026

Exactly 80 years ago, in 1946, Republicans took control of Congress with a simple message: “Had…