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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Trading Punches

By Carter Wrenn July 9, 2013

When Reverend William Barber steps up to a microphone wearing his vestments and clerical collar and lets fly with a haymaker calling Republicans immoral or characterizing Republican legislators as George Wallaces who want to turn back the clock to the days of Jim Crow – it’s just natural some Republican’s going to feel an itch…

A Tribute to Modern Politics

By Carter Wrenn July 9, 2013

Up in Virginia they’re locked into a donnybrook of a Governor’s race – the Republican candidate’s saying the Democratic candidate’s a hypocrite and a poor family man and a threat to every woman in Virginia (because of something he said about abortion clinics).   The Democrat’s wife is saying she’s fed up with the Republicans…

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…

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…