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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Bowling with Donald

By Carter Wrenn March 20, 2017

When the average two-legged creature adds the title ‘Congressmen’ to the front of his name it can turn out to be humorous – but expensive. Last week at 10:30 in the morning House Republican Leaders rolled out their plan to repeal Obamacare; twelve and a half hours later the forty Congressmen sitting in the Ways…

Trump Tower

By Carter Wrenn March 17, 2017

Angry because Jeff Sessions wouldn’t run the Justice Department’s investigation into the Russians meddling in our election, Trump erupted at the White House staff then flew to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend. The next morning, up before dawn, holding his Twitter machine he pressed send and struck out at Obama. Some people figured Trump meant to…

How did Hillary lose to him?

By Gary Pearce March 16, 2017

A Democrat watches Trump and wonders, “How did Hillary lose to this guy?” A political pro wonders, “How did Hillary lose to this guy after running so many more TV ads than he did?” She ran 200,000 ads to his 76,000. Was it Twitter? Comey? Putin? Or was it the ads themselves? A new study…

Roy vs Phil

By Gary Pearce March 14, 2017

Phil Berger can take away Roy Cooper’s powers. But he can’t take away his microphone. And he can’t match the Governor on TV. Democrats will happily take the contrast every day through the 2018 and 2020 elections. Last night, the Governor was smiling, positive and optimistic. The unshaven Senate boss was dark, negative and partisan.…

NoCare

By Gary Pearce March 10, 2017

“Tired of winning yet?” That’s the question from a TAPster who sent this excerpt from a story about millions of Americans who could lose health insurance under the Trump/GOP NoCare plan: Martha Brawley of Monroe, N.C., said she voted for President Trump in the hope he could make insurance more affordable. But on Tuesday, Ms.…

Thanks, Josh

By Gary Pearce March 8, 2017

Politics has been so bad that for four months – ever since Election Day – I’ve meant to write about something good. But never got to it. Thanks, Trump. So now the good news: Attorney General Josh Stein. After the carnage of Election Day, one veteran Democrat said, “If you’re going to win just three…

Crank, Crazy or a Crook?

By Gary Pearce March 6, 2017

In his State of the Union early last week, Trump sounded like a normal President. By the weekend, he was back to his cranky, crazy self. He went on a Twitter rampage. He claimed President Obama wiretapped him. Without a shred of evidence. And despite denials from intelligence officials. Now, it could just be that…

Trump TV

By Gary Pearce March 2, 2017

Trump’s presidency is best viewed, like Trump himself, as a reality TV show. Sometimes it’s scary. Like when Trump makes life and death decisions on the porch at Mar a Lago in full view of diners. Or anytime Steve Bannon crawls out of his cave. Sometimes it’s weird. Like when it’s big news that Trump…

Gone home

By Gary Pearce February 28, 2017

The house where I grew up came down yesterday. It had to go. It was built some 70 years ago. A tiny box of a place, now rundown and decades outdated. My father had bought it sight unseen. He’d come home nights from his job in the composing room of the N&O. He’d bring the…

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…