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 Captured Whom?

By Carter Wrenn June 30, 2014

As much as I admire the Old Bull Mooses’ single-minded pertinacity, I’ve been unkind lately to the State Senate but at dinner last night Conor, who may be the last of the Jessecrats, set me straight.   I’d written – a couple of days ago – how the Democratic political wizards around Raleigh believe the…

The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!

By Gary Pearce June 30, 2014

Maybe Chad Barefoot really believes Putin reared his head and Russia reached its tentacles into the anti-fracking forces in North Carolina.   Or maybe it’s just a cynical attempt to raise money from a Fox-fed mob of ignoramuses.   Or maybe it’s a desperate overreaction to a poll showing that voters don’t like fracking.  …

Old-Fashioned Back Room Politics?

By Carter Wrenn June 27, 2014

The other day while I was having lunch with one of Raleigh’s Democratic wizards he said, You know a lot of people believe the Senate Republican Caucus has captured the Chamber of Commerce and turned it into an appendage of its political committee.   I said, How’s that? and he explained the Democrats, rooting through…

The Wrong Cure

By Carter Wrenn June 26, 2014

Mike, a young down-the-line rock-ribbed Republican partisan who sees eye to eye with Senator Bob Rucho (who once tweeted ‘Obamacare has done more damage than the Nazis’) but is too smart to say anything that foolish within earshot of a reporter, and Jim who would like Senator Elizabeth Warren to run for President because Hilary’s…

We Don’t Hear You, Raleigh

By Gary Pearce June 26, 2014

It’s a rite of summer. The House, the Senate and the Governor can’t agree on a budget. They tell themselves that millions of North Carolinians are in suspense, following the latest twist in the budget deliberations like they’re binge-watching Netflix.   This year, Governor McCrory and Speaker Tillis decide a bold stroke is needed to…

Two Sides to Every Coin

By Carter Wrenn June 25, 2014

When the ‘anti-frackers’ launched their million dollar ad campaign to defeat Chad Barefoot and three other Republican State Senators the Senate Republican Caucus returned fire, calling on Barefoot’s opponent to denounce the flood of “special interest money” pouring into the district then added, “Who knows what Sarah Crawford (Barefoot’s opponent) has promised these people.”  …

Mississippi Rising

By Gary Pearce June 25, 2014

To quote Slim Pickens in Blazing Saddles, “What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here?”   What is politics coming to when a deeply conservative Deep South Senator rallies black Democrats to win a Republican primary? When a GOP bridge-builder beats a fire-eater? When a big spender beats a budget slasher?…

Soul Mates Fall Out

By Carter Wrenn June 24, 2014

For years they’ve been the best of buddies. Soul mates. Like peas and carrots.  But, now, they’ve had a falling out…followed by blows being struck.   Reaching into the treasury in Washington and pulling out a wad of other people’s money to give to your friends is as old an American tradition as apple pie. …

Is Hillary Ready?

By Gary Pearce June 24, 2014

A lot of Democrats are “Ready for Hillary,” but is she?   The doubts erupted after talked – and talked again – about whether she and Bill really are rich.   The Washington Post headlined: “Some Democrats fear Clinton’s wealth and ‘imperial image’ could be damaging in 2016.” It quoted “multiple Obama campaign advisers” saying…

Another School Study? Yes.

By Gary Pearce March 19, 2026

Some progressives groaned when Governor Josh Stein announced a bipartisan “Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education”…

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…