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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Trapping an Elusive Varmint

By Carter Wrenn September 17, 2013

A while back a candidate running for office for the first time sat down in my office and said, What should I do? and I said: Take a poll.   For a moment he didn’t say a word then he smiled and said he already knew what voters in his district thought – which is…

On TV Ads, Pelion and Ossa

By Gary Pearce September 17, 2013

Carter made a great point in his blog about the McCrory TV ad. And he made a wonderful classical allusion that greatly elevated the intellectual level of this blog.   First, the allusion, “piling Pelion on Ossa.” It’s from Greek mythology. I had to look it up. Here’s the Wikipedia link.   As for the…

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…

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…