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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A Hasty Retreat

By Gary Pearce February 7, 2013

Pre-K foe Diana Lightfoot has hot-footed it out of the pre-K job. (See blog below.)   Give the McCrory administration points here. There’s only one way to fix a disaster: fast.   Now maybe Ms. Lightfoot can get to the bottom of these ultrasonic waves from China and North Korea.   And here’s two words…

The War on Education

By Gary Pearce February 7, 2013

The way things are going, Pat McCrory may end up as the Uneducation Governor.   First he questioned a liberal arts college education. Even Carter had trouble swallowing that.   Now his administration appoints an early-childhood director who opposes early-childhood education programs.   Democrats should welcome the chance to take this one to the voters.…

Legislative Privilege

By Gary Pearce February 6, 2013

The N&O headline said “Bill would give McCrory, legislature control of some state boards.” Democrats and environmentalists howled “power grab.”   But Governor McCrory might not be so happy with the bill. Because the legislature is taking appointments away from him and increasing its own.   Exhibit A: the bill cuts the Coastal Resources Commission…

Real Reform

By Gary Pearce February 6, 2013

Finally the State Department of Health and Human Services is cracking down on a crisis. What’s that, you ask? Mental health? Rising Medicaid costs? Funding for adult-care homes? The uninsured?   No. The dress code.   I especially like this: “Daily grooming and bathing are required. Clothing should be clean, pressed and in good condition…

Welcome to Raleigh!

By Gary Pearce February 5, 2013

Governor McCrory is learning that it’s easier to run for office than run an administration. And message discipline is easier in a campaign. Especially when the legislature is in town.   McCrory wants his message to be jobs. But he sidetracked himself last week by picking a fight over the value of college education.  …

A Wayward Pleasure

By Carter Wrenn February 5, 2013

Respect for higher education has fostered a long-time tradition of reverence for college professors. They’re honored and pampered. They get tenure and sabbaticals to study and think.   Then the other day, out of a clear blue sky, the professors’ placid world rocked – when Governor Pat McCrory announced the way he sees it state…

Coming to America

By jstewart February 4, 2013

Gary is taking a break from blogging. Our guest blogger is Tapster Joe Stewart.   I grew up in Raleigh, graduating from Athens Drive High School in 1982. The athletic conference (note singular) at the time was the Cap 8 and included (what seemed like) the remote outposts of Fuquay-Varina and Smithfield Selma.   I…

The Sooner the Better

By Carter Wrenn February 4, 2013

Speaker John Boehner probably never meant to end up being the face and voice of the Republican Party – but he’s the man in the room facing Obama so that’s how it is.   Last month, just before the House passed the Speaker’s bill to raise the debt ceiling until May, I asked an old…

Nipples and College

By Gary Pearce February 4, 2013

While I was gone, Governor McCrory came out against college education and Republican legislators came out against women’s nipples. These are two (or three?) big reasons I’m not a Republican.   In fairness, the Governor took it back. He said he was for college education after he was against it. Kind of like John Kerry.…

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…