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

W stands for War

By Gary Pearce February 17, 2016

South Carolinians love a good war. The Swamp Fox bedeviled the British in the Revolution. The Civil War started in South Carolina. The place has more military bases than most countries. So how is it that South Carolina Republicans may vote for Donald Trump, who blasted George W. Bush over the war in Iraq while…

Supreme Karma

By Gary Pearce February 16, 2016

Here’s a bright-side scenario for Democrats: Because of Justice Scalia’s death and the resulting 4-4 Supreme Court tie. Democrats win big cases like redistricting in NC. Then President Obama nominates a replacement (or a series of them) that Republicans reject, solidifying their reputation as bitter partisans who are willing to hurt America so long as…

A Moment of Clairvoyance

By Carter Wrenn February 16, 2016

It was one of those rare moments when a candidate’s lips moved and, in the next breath, clairvoyance dawned. The moderator at the New Hampshire debate looked across the stage at Marco Rubio and told him that Chris Christie had said he “wasn’t ready to be President.” Rubio gave Christie the back of his hand,…

Ted Cruz’s Bad Moment

By Carter Wrenn February 12, 2016

Marco Rubio’s bad moment got the most attention at the New Hampshire debate but there was another moment we may see again. When Ted Cruz was asked why his campaign had told Ben Carson’s supporters in Iowa that Carson was dropping out of the race, Cruz looked into the camera and explained how he respected…

There’s something about Cruz

By Gary Pearce February 12, 2016

Carter made an interesting comment about Ted Cruz the other day while we were taping an interview for D.G. Martin’s radio show on WCHL. Carter said he often agrees with Cruz, but finds himself wishing Cruz would stop talking. He said, “There’s just something about Cruz that I can’t put my finger on….” Here’s what…

Hint for Hillary

By Gary Pearce February 12, 2016

Probably sixty-dozen Friends of Bill and Hillary already have weighed in with confusing and conflicting advice about what to do now. So I offer a suggestion with full confidence it will have no impact whatsoever, which will enable me to later (1) deny I ever said it, or (2) say I told you so. My…

Republicans: storming the castle

By Gary Pearce February 11, 2016

Just like the Democrats, New Hampshire Republicans armed with torches and pitchforks stormed the Establishment castle. Now the GOP Establishment has to decide whether to unite behind Jeb Bush, John Kasich or Marco Rubio – or cut a deal with The Art of the Deal himself, Donald Trump. Anything to stop Ted Cruz. The party…

Democrats: storming the castle

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2016

Hillary Clinton has the bad luck to be the Establishment in a bad year for the Establishment. She’s living in the castle just as peasants with pitchforks and torches storm the castle. She took $200,000 speaking fees from Wall Street just as Democrats turned against Wall Street. This is galling to Baby Boomers like the…

Another Band-Aid

By Carter Wrenn February 9, 2016

At first the President figured he could whip ISIS without putting a single foot soldier on the ground in Iraq. It didn’t work. Then he figured he could whip ISIS with 300 foot soldiers he called advisors. That didn’t work either. So last week, without fanfare, the Secretary of Defense announced he was sending 1,800…

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…