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

Down the river we go

By Gary Pearce May 10, 2016

When Carter and I speak to groups, we often compare politicians to ants on a log floating down a river. The ant thinks: “I’ve got this log going good!” But the river is running things. So it is this election. A year ago, everybody thought it would Jeb Bush vs. Hillary. In North Carolina, we…

The Second District: Food Stamps

By Carter Wrenn May 9, 2016

  In George Holding’s race with Renee Ellmers there’re two issues that no one’s talked much about and which haven’t received a lot of attention. But they should. The first, and most important, more or less defines the difference between George Holding and Renee Ellmers. And the political sleight of hand going on in this…

Seriously, Pat?

By Gary Pearce May 9, 2016

The federal government is “overreaching?” And forcing the state to make a decision too quickly? That’s your response after taking just a few hours to pass one of the worst examples of state government overreach since the Speaker Ban Law? As a TAPster wrote, “After McCrory’s flip flop on HB 2, the governor’s mansion is…

Obama and the GOP

By Gary Pearce May 5, 2016

Earlier this week, I blogged about the President’s speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner – and his accomplishments in office. Also this weekend, an article in Sunday’s The New York Times Magazine brought to mind the striking contrast between Obama and the Republicans in Congress. In September 2008, less than two months before the…

Special Elections and a Look Inside a Political Campaign

By Carter Wrenn May 4, 2016

For one reason or another I haven’t blogged in awhile so I’m going to make it all up in one fell swoop by writing about the campaign that’s been keeping me busy. Back in early March, when the two candidates in the 2nd District were George Holding and Renee Ellmers, George’s campaign took a poll.…

Mad Man Wins

By Gary Pearce May 4, 2016

Donald Trump has conquered the Republican Party. He’ll now take the GOP over the cliff to disastrous defeat. Or be our next President. He dispatched Low-Energy Jeb, Little Marco and Lyin’ Ted. He turned Chris Christie into a fawning flatterer. Likewise the good Dr. Carson. He beat Carly Fiorina – twice. And Mike Huckabee and…

Howl to the Chief

By Gary Pearce May 3, 2016

President Obama is not only one of our greatest Presidents,* but also our funniest. Watch this video of his speech to the White House Correspondents Dinner. No, he doesn’t write all the jokes. But he delivers them well. He skewered journalists, Republicans, Trump, Cruz and himself. You’ve probably read some of his best lines, but…

Settling the great yard sign debate

By Gary Pearce April 29, 2016

If you’ve ever worked in a campaign, you’ve been part of the debate over yard signs. Pros pooh-pooh them as a waste of money. Volunteers clamor for them. The candidate’s brother calls in every day to tell you how many signs the opponent has up. Supporters claim your opponents are stealing yours. And a smart…

Hell, yes! Let’s vote on HB2!

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2016

Democrats in the legislature should immediately embrace a statewide referendum on HB2. This issue is killing Republicans. A referendum will keep it alive all year. A cascade of national money will flow in to help Roy Cooper, Deborah Ross and Josh Stein. Pat McCrory’s “Carolina Comeback” will drown in a tide of ongoing news  about…

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…