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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Trump vs. GOP

By Gary Pearce July 20, 2016

The last two Republican Presidents aren’t there. The last two Republican presidential candidates aren’t there. The Republican Governor of the state hosting the convention isn’t there. Pat McCrory isn’t there. And former Republican N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr says he can’t vote for Trump for the nomination or election because “I think he’s singularly…

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The Salesman and the Politician

By Carter Wrenn July 19, 2016

Governor’s wife, First Lady, United States Senator, Cabinet Secretary – for four decades Hillary’s breathed the air of politics. She’s the Politician in the race for President. Donald Trump will tell you in the blink of an eye he’s a Dealmaker. A great Dealmaker. But he could have named his book The Art of ‘Selling’…

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Lone star

By Gary Pearce July 19, 2016

As you watch the Republican convention, you see why Donald Trump picked Mike Pence as his running mate: There’s no chance Pence will steal the spotlight from the star. There’s only one star in this show, and it’s Donald Trump. And all the co-stars, like all his products and possessions, are also named Trump (Melania,…

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Trump’s Brain

By Carter Wrenn July 18, 2016

The other day a newspaper reporter called and asked, Did you know Hillary’s Super PAC has spent $9 million to buy TV time in North Carolina? I didn’t. And, it turned out, they’d actually spent $12.5 million. Next, I looked to see how much Donald Trump was spending. The first story I found – in…

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The Donald Trump Show

By Gary Pearce July 18, 2016

For a time, we all had high hopes for this Republican convention. Maybe it wouldn’t be the usual snooze-a-thon. Maybe it would fulfill the fantasy of all political junkies: an open convention! That would mean fireworks. A dump-Trump move. A party divided. Angry protests. A whiff of violence in the hall. Bitter fights between Establishment…

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Down the Road

By Carter Wrenn July 15, 2016

A Republican friend read me the riot act – he said: You ought to stop writing about Trump’s bragging and bullying and start harpooning Hillary. If liberals get control of the Supreme Court the country’s down the tubes. So who do you want appointing justices – Hillary or Trump? Hillary’ll probably appoint Obama. The prospect…

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A Genie

By Carter Wrenn July 14, 2016

The four newspaper headlines told a troubling story. ‘Hillary Outraises Trump.’ ‘Cooper Outraises McCrory.’ ‘Ross Outraises Burr.’ ‘Stein Outraises Newton’ (for Attorney General). What the heck – has some evil genie appeared out of thin air showering money on Democrats? There was one glimmer of good news: Deborah Ross raised more than Richard Burr last…

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Heads in the Sand

By Carter Wrenn July 13, 2016

Here’s one way Washington Politicians plant the seeds of a train wreck: Republican Leaders and Political Masterminds are telling anxious Senators and Congressmen the fall election is looking just fine: That the ‘Generic Ballot’ questions – like, ‘In the election for US Congress this fall are you more likely to vote for the Democratic candidate…

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Cooper’s cash coup

By Gary Pearce July 13, 2016

There’s no need for Roy Cooper’s campaign to spin this one, and no use in Pat McCrory’s campaign trying to spin out of it. Cooper is crushing McCrory in fundraising. There are only two ways to keep score in politics before Election Day: polls and money. The polls are close in the Governor’s race. The…

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Lost Truth

By Carter Wrenn January 16, 2025

Back in the old days three TV networks – ABC, NBC, CBS – ruled the news;…

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Biden’s Warning

By Gary Pearce January 16, 2025

In his farewell address, President Biden warned that “an oligarchy is taking shape in America of…

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Stein’s Party Lines

By Gary Pearce January 14, 2025

Governor Josh Stein wisely ignored my semi-serious suggestion that he devote his inaugural speech to denouncing…

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