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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There are leaders. And there’s Trump

By Gary Pearce January 8, 2018

The big holiday gift book was about Grant. The big movie is about Churchill. The hot book now – and the big story – is about Trump. Two leaders. And one poor excuse for a leader. I haven’t read the Trump book. I’ve read plenty about it. It’s set the political and media agenda since…

A Sad Ending

By Carter Wrenn December 29, 2017

One morning at 6:23 am, not long after Roy Moore lost, the President set out to reassure his base by tweeting that, since Republicans were 5-0 in the Special Elections for Congress, they were on track to do ‘very very well’ in the upcoming election – then explaining his talents as a prognosticator the President…

Happy 2018

By Gary Pearce December 28, 2017

A year that started with Trump’s inauguration was bound to suck. Good riddance, 2017. The year – and Trump – were so bad, 2018 is bound to be better. First, there’s a counter-reaction coming. There always is in politics. Second, women are mobilizing, voting, organizing, running and winning. That caused earthquakes in Virginia and Alabama.…

Trump or taxes?

By Gary Pearce December 21, 2017

Republicans have picked their battle line for 2018: “We cut your taxes, the economy is booming, stick with us.” Will Democrats take that fight? Or is there a better path to victory? Maybe the Republican tax bill will be the political and economic disaster that Washington Democrats say it is. But, hey, Democrats don’t have…

Moore questions

By Gary Pearce December 11, 2017

Fundraising emails from Democrats in Washington insist that Doug Jones could beat Trump’s wingman Roy Moore Tuesday night. Okay, I hear you. But we’re talking about Alabama. If Jones does win, Democrats will face some interesting questions. Like, can we win in the South only when the Republican is a creepy sexual predator? If the…

One White Hot Story

By Carter Wrenn December 7, 2017

Brian Ross had a ‘confidential’ source, an insider close to Michael Flynn – so at 11 o’clock last Friday morning Ross (of ABC News ) dropped a bombshell: Michael Flynn was going to testify Trump had ordered him to contact the Russians before the election.  The world turned upside down. Twitter and Facebook exploded. The…

After Six Years of Howling…

By Carter Wrenn December 6, 2017

The politicians are hollering, again, about redistricting – about the new State House and Senate district maps drawn by the federal judges ‘Special Mapmaker.’ But look beneath the surface: What’s surprising is how few districts changed. And how little those districts changed. The News and Observer analyzed the new maps: One district changed from .4%…

A Place Miracles Still Happen

By Carter Wrenn December 5, 2017

When Kate McClure ran out of gas on an exit ramp in Philadelphia, Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless man, walked toward her car in the darkness, said, Lock your doors, then walked to a gas station and returned with $20 in gas. Bobbitt, a paramedic, had moved to Philadelphia for a job but the job fell…

Bankrupt GOP

By Gary Pearce December 4, 2017

Set aside what the Republican tax bill does to people and the economy. Look at how they passed it, why they did it and what it says about who they are. House and Senate Republicans rushed through massive bills that affect the entire economy – with no hearings, no transparency and none of John McCain’s…

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…