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 Resigns

By Carter Wrenn July 12, 2016

They may be fighting because they’re both from the same town and New York’s not big enough for the two of them but regardless of the root of their animosity there’s no doubt Donald Trump sets the New York Times’ teeth on edge. A few days ago the Times ran a front page story claiming…

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Matters of life and death

By Gary Pearce July 11, 2016

A nation already deeply divided by race and politics is now divided more deeply by race, murder and retribution. Videos show police officers killing black suspects. Videos show the carnage as a black sniper kills police officers in revenge. We line up: Black Lives Matter. Blue Lives Matter. All Lives Matter. To invoke one or…

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Both Vices

By Carter Wrenn July 11, 2016

Donald Trump keeps saying, When I’m President I’m going to make the greatest deals you ever saw and I’ll be the greatest jobs President God ever created and When I’m President you’re going to be so happy but America’s jaded voters have been fooled by too many politicians to believe a line like ‘I’m going…

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Grand Juries and Temptation

By Carter Wrenn July 8, 2016

It’s pretty hard to convict a politician of corruption but a well-meaning soul over in the State House tried to change that by putting a provision in a crime bill to allow Grand Juries to investigate politicians in bribery and corruption cases. There was probably never a bill politicians were less likely to pass but,…

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Going post-factual

By Gary Pearce July 7, 2016

Surveying the Presidential race and the Brexit vote, a smart young political pro observed this week, “We’re living in a post-factual world.” Facts and truth don’t matter. You can say what you want, and you can pick whatever facts, Internet rumors or just plain lies fit your opinion. Way back in the dark ages, when…

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Checks and Balances

By Carter Wrenn July 6, 2016

Federal judges in Richmond deciding school board districts in Wake County sounds odd but in another way it’s a bit of time-honored Americana.   Make no mistake: Redistricting is raw politics. It isn’t a fight between right and wrong. Or two philosophies. It’s a power grab. And every chance they get both parties grab for…

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Unforced errors

By Gary Pearce July 6, 2016

This election should be a slam dunk for Hillary Clinton. But turnovers are keeping the game too close. She is superbly qualified to be President. She has long fought on the right side of progress. Her opponent is one of the most despised, dreaded and dangerous men ever to run for President. But then (always)…

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Dancing the Two Step with James Buchanan

By Carter Wrenn July 5, 2016

We think our politics today is more screwed than ever before but here’s a quote from a politician during the age of horse drawn carriages: In 1860, President James Buchanan said, I don’t think states have a right to secede. But, if a state does secede, I don’t think the federal government has a right…

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Jiggering the Districts

By Carter Wrenn July 5, 2016

Laying in bed reading a short biography of Abraham Lincoln by James McPherson, one of those lost jewels of history popped up: McPherson wrote how before the 1858 election the Illinois politicians redrew state legislative districts to favor Democrats – which made a difference because back in those days United States Senators weren’t elected by…

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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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