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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Moving On. Not.

By Gary Pearce February 28, 2013

Now that the Case of the Not-Blueprint Memo has been solved, Democrats and progressives can move on to important issues like what Republicans are doing on education, Medicaid, unemployment assistance, tax reform and … hold on, what’s that?   Never mind. Apparently, we will move on to the new state Democratic chairman owing almost $290,000 in…

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Local Politics

By Carter Wrenn February 27, 2013

Two years ago, Republicans controlled the County Commissioners and the School Board and were happy.   Then Democrats won the next School Board election – so they were happy and the Republican County Commissioners were unhappy.   Next the Republican Commissioners decided to redraw the Democratic School Board members’ Districts to get them out of…

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The Politics of Mean

By Gary Pearce February 27, 2013

Being mean is not a formula for success in politics, and Governor McCrory may learn that lesson the hard way.   Hold on, you say. What about Jesse Helms? He made a 30-year career out of being mean and picking on politically weak victims.   Glad you asked. Here’s the difference: What works for a…

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A Curveball

By Carter Wrenn February 26, 2013

Back in 1980, Senator Helms’ political organization had won elections in 1976 and 1978. And after Reagan won, we figured the conservative millennium had dawned and we’d mastered the art of politics. Next election we lost five races.   Back in 1980, Jim Hunt had built the most powerful political machine ever seen in North…

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Kamikaze Republicans

By Gary Pearce February 26, 2013

Why do congressional Republicans keep jumping off the cliff – and taking the country with them? Don’t they see the political trap that President Obama has sprung on them?   You could enjoy what they’re doing to themselves politically if you didn’t hate what they’re doing to the country economically.   Here’s just part of…

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A Dead End

By Carter Wrenn February 26, 2013

President Obama’s in full campaign mode with his eyes fixed on taking control of the House of Representatives next election. He’s put his campaign to work targeting Republican Congressmen and he’s telling voters because of the Sequester 7,450 children in Florida won’t receive vaccinations, 800 victims of domestic violence in North Carolina won’t receive care,…

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From Hack to Flack

By Gary Pearce February 25, 2013

Kim Genardo of NBC-17 is following a well-trod path from capital reporter to Governor’s communications director. Most every governor hires a capital reporter to tame the savages. I made that switch from the N&O to then-Lt. Governor Hunt in January 1976 – 37 years ago! (As I recall, I was about 13 years old.)  …

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When Liberals Attack

By Gary Pearce February 22, 2013

Oh my goodness gracious, Republicans are all aflutter and Twitter is all atwitter over a leaked memo by liberals to “attack…cripple…eviscerate” GOP leaders and even, worst of all, “mitigate the worst legislation.”   I haven’t heard so much caterwauling since Jesse Helms was screeching that Ted Kennedy, liberals, blacks and queers were attacking him so…

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GOP Unemployment Hypocrisy

By Gary Pearce February 21, 2013

Sarah Ovaska at NC Policy Watch reveals that one Republican legislator who voted to cut unemployment assistance was himself getting that assistance last year.   Rep. Jason Saine, a Lincolnton Republican, collected unemployment checks for 15 months while he was out of work. But now that he’s in the legislature, he voted with his GOP…

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Spinning Tales

By Carter Wrenn March 3, 2025

Trump growled Zelensky started the Ukraine war. John Bolton said Trump was wrong. Angry, my friend…

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Vanished

By Gary Pearce March 3, 2025

Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall and stood up to what he called the “Evil…

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Anything Goes…

By Carter Wrenn February 26, 2025

Back when Rod Blagojevich ran for governor of Illinois, Obama endorsed him and Trump gave his…

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