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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Where Do You Stand, Pat?

By Gary Pearce July 9, 2013

Governor McCrory’s waffling on the abortion bill recalls the old mountaineer who listened to a slick politician give a long-winded, on-the-one-hand, on-the-other-hand answer to a tough issue. Finally, the mountaineer demanded: “Son, are you fer it or agin’ it?”   McCrory shouldn’t kid himself that he can pass off the bill as protecting women’s health.…

Shooting the Reasonable Fellow

By Carter Wrenn July 8, 2013

Colon Willoughby, the District Attorney, is catching it from all sides.   Faced with the chore of prosecuting hundreds of ‘Moral Monday’ demonstrators, Willoughby suggested to the protestors they were wreaking more havoc on the Wake County Courts than on Republicans and politely suggested maybe they ought to reconsider the virtues of getting themselves arrested…

Hagan for Governor

By Gary Pearce July 8, 2013

A TAPster offers an intriguing strategy for Democrats:   “Kay Hagan should run for governor.   “She should forget the US Senate, where nothing ever happens and there’s little chance to help her fellow North Carolinians, and come home. She can beat Pat McCrory, especially if his leadership continues to be weak or he is…

Hillary Reagan Clinton

By Gary Pearce July 7, 2013

In a sure sign of how much they fear her, Republicans suggest that Hillary Clinton would be too old – 69 in 2016 – to be President.   (Hey, 69 isn’t so old!)   “She’s been around since the ’70s,” one Republican operative said. Another: It would be “a rerun of ‘The Golden Girls’.”  …

Holding Rides Again

By Gary Pearce July 5, 2013

Congressman George Holding richly deserves a second blog-whacking for this.   He wrote a letter to the N&O criticizing President Obama for spending tax money to go to Africa. (Why didn’t he criticize the President’s trip to Europe?)   Holding wrote: “We need to rein in government spending – and this trip shows a lack…

Shades of Texas

By Gary Pearce July 3, 2013

Since Republicans stuck abortion restrictions on a bill about Islamic law, why don’t they go ahead and make women wear veils, scarves and robes?   Apparently they’re inspired by Texas Governor Rick Perry. Now watch North Carolina women get fired up like Wendy Davis.   This will be a test for Governor McCrory. Will he…

Art Pope the Moderate?

By Gary Pearce July 2, 2013

A Republican lobbyist wondered: “What has the world come to when Art Pope is a voice of restraint on cutting taxes and spending?”   Art Pope? The Democrats’ favorite demon? The radical, anti-government archfiend? Has he become a big government liberal? Or is this just a sign of how far off the edge of the…

If You Don’t Fight, You Can’t Win

By Carter Wrenn July 2, 2013

Back during the Korean War, when the Marines were surrounded by the Chinese at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a reporter asked Major General Oliver P. Smith if he was retreating and Smith said, “Retreat, hell! We’re not retreating, we’re just advancing in a different direction.” That was tough leadership.   Back in the 1990’s…

Up, Down, or About the Same

By Carter Wrenn July 1, 2013

  The Republican powers-that-be in Raleigh – the House, Senate and Governor – locked horns last week in a three-way tug-of-war, each offering their own road to economic salvation. In a matter of hours the conflagration (over tax reform and whose loopholes to close or not close) spawned a welter of statistics and charts even…

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…