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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A Shortage of Truth All Around

By Carter Wrenn May 12, 2016

Here’s a recap of George’s race with Renee so far: Renee came out swinging saying (on Facebook) how deeply she cared for the voters in her district while George Holding had voted against farmers and highways. George set that straight by explaining what had really happened: That what he had voted against was increasing Food…

The Old South State

By Gary Pearce May 11, 2016

A TAPster sent this satire (I think it’s satire): Things got so bad on Jones Street today that legislative leaders asked staff to research steps necessary for the state to secede from the Union. “We might as well,” said Senate leader Phil Berger. “The federal government is cutting off our money and services. We have…

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…

Political Shots Fired

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2026

The political sniping began even as chaos still reigned at the White House Correspondents Dinner. My…

Obama 48-Trump 39

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2026

A new nationwide poll shows that, if they could run against each other in 2028, Barack…

“Conservative Successes”?

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2026

Senator Phil Berger was out of touch with voters in his district – and suffered the…