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.

CarterWrenn200x271

Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

Archives

Categories

Civil wars

By Gary Pearce September 14, 2017

Some Democrats are popping corks over two stories. First, Steve Bannon promised a civil war in the Republican Party. Second, in North Carolina, the number of Unaffiliated voters exceeds Republicans for the first time: Democrats: 2,640,470 Unaffiliated: 2,055,548 Republicans: 2,055,493 Hold the champagne. First, we’ve got our own civil war – between Clinton Democrats and…

Throwing the book at Hillary

By Gary Pearce September 13, 2017

Hillary is getting pilloried. Again. This time for having the effrontery to write a book about the election, “What Happened.” Even Democrats are jumping and dumping on her for “reopening old wounds,” “refighting old battles” and making them relive the awful experience of seeing Trump elected President. Lay off her. Three points here: First, she…

I (still) hate yard signs

By Gary Pearce September 11, 2017

They’re popping up in Raleigh, so here’s my perennial rant. There is no greater waste of time and money in a campaign than yard signs. No voter – ever – has said, “OMG, look at that sign! The colors! The design! The font! I must vote for this candidate!!” Campaigns are about getting information to…

Speechless

By Carter Wrenn September 8, 2017

During the Alabama primary President Trump was tweeting and robo-calling for Luther Strange and at the same time Mitch McConnell was spending $4 million to elect Strange so we had the Establishment Republicans and Trump Republicans all on the same side until the ground shifted – and Strange didn’t win. He finished a close second…

Reading Signs

By Carter Wrenn September 7, 2017

If you’re a Republican with an eye on the next election you’re searching for signs and reading tea leaves, wondering, What are the chances we’ll lose? The signs that measure President Trump’s strength – his Favorable rating and his Job Approval – are all troubling: Swing voters dislike the President by two to one. Compounding…

Noble Tale or Fiction?

By Carter Wrenn September 6, 2017

The News and Observer has published a dozen stories and editorials and letters by people extolling the virtues of the UNC Center for Civil Rights –  all saying roughly the same thing: The professors leading the Center are warriors battling for the poor and the oppressed and the least among us. It’s a noble picture.…

One Question

By Carter Wrenn September 5, 2017

Listening to him as he stood on the floor of the State Senate speaking, I wondered whether he believed what he was saying or whether he’d simply decided to spin a tale. He sounded like a history professor giving a lecture, talking about the new Senate maps, explaining meticulously why those maps were not a…

Gerrymandering games

By Gary Pearce August 31, 2017

How bad are the new Republican legislative maps? An analysis by the Campaign Legal Center says Republicans would give themselves a “large and durable” advantage in the districts” “Assuming a statewide uniform swing in the vote, in order for there to be a Republican majority in the House, Republicans will only need a statewide vote…

Stormy politics

By Gary Pearce August 30, 2017

When winds howl and waters rise, political careers can soar – or sink. And elections can turn upside down. The fall of George W. Bush began the day in 2005 when he flew over Katrina-ravaged New Orleans, looking distant and detached. He never recovered. Nor did New Orleans. On the other hand, even a scoundrel…

Independents Turn Against GOP

By Gary Pearce March 17, 2026

North Carolina voters don’t like either the Democratic or Republican parties. But Independent voters – who…

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…