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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Abortion

By Carter Wrenn December 4, 2023

Two Republican candidates Democrats were hammering on abortion asked me before the election last year: “Should I answer those attacks – the party’s telling me to ignore them, that they don’t matter?” I said abortion mattered to swing voters, answer the attacks. Neither did. Both lost. This election Republican political wizards moved from ignoring abortion…

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Time to Turn Back the Clock?

By Carter Wrenn December 1, 2023

Years ago when President Richard Nixon was in the White House politicians could take unlimited contributions and take corporate contributions. Nixon raised millions. Scowling, ruling Congress, Democrats passed laws that limited campaign donations – no one could give more than $1,000 and corporations couldn’t give at all. Thirty years rolled past. The Supreme Court upended…

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An Odd Slip

By Carter Wrenn November 30, 2023

Standing on stage at a rally in New Hampshire making a speech Trump said an odd thing: “I was the first President in decades not to start a war.” Surely, Trump knew Obama didn’t start a war – that Bush did but Clinton didn’t. When Biden fumbles for words people frown. Trump just fumbled –…

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A Pause

By Carter Wrenn November 29, 2023

To destroy German factories during World War II we bombed Hamburg, Berlin, other cities – bombs killed civilians but bombing tank factories meant fewer American soldiers died. Israel didn’t want a war with Hamas but got one – and it now faces the same choice we did: It bombs Gaza, civilians die, but bombs destroying…

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Who’s crazy? The Country or the Media?

By Carter Wrenn November 28, 2023

Fox News showed protestors marching in Washington, graffiti scrawled on buildings: ‘Death to Israel.’ Newspapers, media websites, Facebook and Twitter were covered with stories about anti-Israel protests: Students chanting the Hamas mantra ‘from the river to the sea’ on college campuses, swastikas sprayed on synagogues, protestors in New York tearing down pictures of hostages held…

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Vivek, Again

By Carter Wrenn November 27, 2023

The sideshow rolls on – Vivek Ramaswamy just can’t stop whacking Ronna McDaniel. On Twitter he said, ‘I’m sick and tired of this Republican Establishment that has made us a party of losers.’ Vivek then told grassroot conservatives to go to his website and sign his petition to ‘FireRonna.’ Vivek’s feud rolls on. It’s quirky.…

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Trump-slayer?

By Gary Pearce November 25, 2023

Nikki Haley is having a media moment. The New York Times and Politico say she’s the rising Not-Trump Republican. I’m torn here. Given the threat Trump poses to democracy and the free world, I’m for anybody who can stop him. But if Haley slays the Trump dragon, she’ll be a formidable opponent for President Biden…

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Who’s the Leaker?

By Carter Wrenn November 24, 2023

The headline across the top of the page said: ‘Trump power grab comes into focus in leaked Georgia videos.’ Someone had leaked videos of Trump lawyers Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell being questioned by prosecutors to ABC News. The leaked videos bruised Trump but also bruised Fani Willis the D.A. prosecuting Trump. Trump claims Willis…

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Go With Grandpa

By Gary Pearce November 24, 2023

President Biden passes the most consequential social and economic legislation in decades, despite dysfunctional D.C. Republicans. He rallies the free world behind Ukraine. He skillfully steers us through the dangerous and domestically divisive war in Gaza. But he stumbles on a word or a stage and the media writes that he’s old and Democrats should…

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Another Story from Politics

By Carter Wrenn December 24, 2024

Watergate sunk Nixon. Jimmy Carter was elected. Two years later Jesse Helms ran for reelection. In…

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Unhappy Holidays?

By Gary Pearce December 24, 2024

We Americans are angry this Christmas. 77 million voters were so angry they elected Trump. 75…

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A Surprise

By Carter Wrenn December 23, 2024

‘You tell a lot of good stories about Reagan, like his saying a prayer for the…

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