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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Concerned about Pat?

By Carter Wrenn September 17, 2013

About the last thing on earth the Governor needed when he opened the newspaper the other morning was to read the Department of Health and Human Services had hired another former political campaign worker.   But it had.   Now the young campaign worker – who’s been hired to handle the Department’s ‘branding’ – may…

Let Teachers Teach

By Gary Pearce September 16, 2013

“The problem with education policy is that it’s made by old white men who haven’t been in a classroom since college.” – A professor of education   For decades now, cycles of education “reform” have swept across America and North Carolina. Testing programs, No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top and now Common Core.…

The First Test?

By Carter Wrenn September 16, 2013

It’s hard to say exactly when the tide that landed Republicans in the soup began to whirl and eddy – maybe it was on Election Night, or when the legislature came to town, or when the Moral Monday demonstrations ignited and breathed life into the Democrats. But no matter how or when it began, last…

Pat’s Mid-Year Review

By Gary Pearce September 13, 2013

A veteran executive of a big North Carolina corporation offers this:   “If Governor McCrory had remained in corporate America, he would’ve been subjected to a mid-year review by his boss to ensure he’s on target to meet his goals and objectives.   “Let’s see how he’s doing as governor: “Strategic planning and execution. Needs…

On His Heels

By Gary Pearce September 12, 2013

Governor McCrory says he’s not afraid “to step on toes.” It looks more like he’s tripping over his own feet. And some of his key appointees can’t find their footing.   At this rate, they’ll all get the boot.

Listening to Voters

By Gary Pearce September 12, 2013

A veteran political hand once gave me this insight into how political people overestimate how much attention voters are paying: “The voters listen a lot slower than we talk.”   Two pieces of recent evidence: John Frank’s fascinating set of articles in the N&O about voters in swing districts and a new poll on the…

Who Is Paying for This?

By Gary Pearce September 11, 2013

Taxpayers are paying for big salaries and big consulting contracts at DHHS. Are they also paying for “security” so the Secretary won’t have to answer questions about what the taxpayers are paying?   An indignant TAPster emailed on Sunday: “Ned Barnett’s column this morning says that Aldona Wos has ‘security personnel.’ I guess this really…

Lost in Syria

By Gary Pearce September 10, 2013

Foreign policy is not my forte, so don’t ask me what America should do about Syria. But I get politics, and I don’t get President Obama’s political strategy.   If you want to do something, why ask permission from a Congress that has proven itself incapable of doing anything?   Most Republicans won’t vote for…

Meeker’s Toe Dip

By Gary Pearce September 9, 2013

When Charles Meeker let fly his Governor-in-2016 trial balloon, you saw two things about where the political winds are blowing today.   First, Democrats sense Governor McCrory is vulnerable. That’s no news flash. Everybody has concluded that over the last month. Including McCrory and his allies. That’s why they’re denouncing the media, promising to whack…

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…