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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Who Can You Believe?

By Carter Wrenn June 27, 2025

It’s hard to get your arms around what’s going on these days – one thing pops up, a contradiction pops up, and it leaves you befuddled. Trump said we ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear sites. That sounded good. Better than good. The ayatollah wouldn’t get his hands on a nuclear bomb. But in the blink of an…

Strange Times…

By Carter Wrenn June 25, 2025

MAGA Queen Marjorie Taylor Greene whacked Trump for bombing Iran – what she posted next was odder: She said John F. Kennedy was assassinated because he’d opposed Israel’s ‘nuclear program.’ J. D. Vance, Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio all said we’re not after ‘regime change’ in Iran – Trump said, Why not regime change? Trump announced…

Trump’s F-Bomb

By Gary Pearce June 25, 2025

On the White House lawn Tuesday, Trump told reporters that Iran and Israel “don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” Rather than repeat the word, The New York Times decorously referred to his “expletive-laced remarks.” BBC did it this way: “Trump said neither side ‘knows what … they’re doing’ – unusually using an expletive while…

Conflicts of Interest

By Gary Pearce June 24, 2025

When I covered the legislature for The News & Observer, we reported on a House member who sponsored a bill that directly benefitted his business. We asked him, isn’t that a conflict of interest? He was defiant: “This bill doesn’t conflict with my interests.” This week, Lucille Sherman reported in Axios, “House Rules Chairman Rep.…

“Rank Hypocrisy”

By Gary Pearce June 23, 2025

It was poor judgment for Democratic state Rep. Julie von Haefen to post a picture of a “beheadings” protest sign. She had the character and courage to admit it and apologize on the floor of the House (photo). Republican Speaker Destin Hall professed outrage over the post and admonished House members to “hold yourselves to…

Trump’s War

By Gary Pearce June 22, 2025

Trump did what he said he’d never do: get us in a war. He lied again. Last weekend, he was embarrassed by his less-than-impressive military parade – the squeaky tank, the ragged marching and the soldier carrying a drone like a toy airplane. This weekend, he decided to play War President. For him, it’s a…

It’s Odd…

By Carter Wrenn June 20, 2025

Decorating the walls with gold filigree, lining the mantle with gold ornaments, Trump set the stage for ‘Live from the White House.’ The cabinet met, cameras rolled, around the table, somber, differential, smiling, Bondi, Hegseth, Noem lauded Trump. Zelensky walked onto stage – it was like watching a wrestling bout, Trump, Vance pounding, Zelensky dodging.…

Frantic and Agitated

By Gary Pearce June 19, 2025

Talking to the media about a possible American strike on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump said, “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean nobody knows what I’m going to do.” Finally, he’s not lying. Nobody knows what he’ll do. Including him. John Bolton, his former national security adviser, said that in situations…

Healing

By Carter Wrenn June 19, 2025

Cut from two different bolts of cloth, first laying eyes on each other sitting in the Continental Congress, they became friends. Short, bald, plump cheeks, brilliant but irritating, John Adams dove head-on into fights. Tall, lean, copper-colored hair, charming but cautious, Thomas Jefferson avoided fights. An heir of ‘The Enlightenment’ Jefferson put his faith in…

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…

Enough is Enough

By Gary Pearce March 11, 2026

Exactly 80 years ago, in 1946, Republicans took control of Congress with a simple message: “Had…