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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Quit the Questionnaires

By Gary Pearce February 9, 2026

This is the best move I’ve seen in a while: “Democrats Confront the Party’s Questionnaire-Industrial Complex.” How many hours and how much agony do Democratic campaigns waste responding to multi-page, mind-numbingly detailed interest-group questionnaires loaded with political dynamite? Jonathan Martin reports in Politico that, “Majority Democrats — a group of young Democrats that have won…

Tax Big Tech

By Gary Pearce February 6, 2026

Jeff Bezos, one of the richest men in the history of the planet, is wrecking what used to be one of the greatest newspapers ever – one that held politicians and the powerful to account. He laid off 300 of the 800 journalists at The Washington Post. He “decimated the organization’s sports, local news and…

Trump Under…Water?

By Gary Pearce February 3, 2026

I wasn’t surprised when the N&O reported that a new poll found Trump’s approval rating in North Carolina has fallen to 41% – with 48% disapproving. I was surprised by this about the High Point University poll: “And if you’re wondering the political makeup of those polled, 35% consider themselves Republicans, 28% Democrats and 32%…

Abolish ICE?

By Gary Pearce January 29, 2026

Democrats’ drive to abolish ICE is understandable, but not smart politics. It could hurt us as much as “defund the police” did. Trump won in 2024, in part, because voters thought President Biden and Democrats were too soft on illegal immigration. Now, people think Trump is too harsh. “Abolish ICE” lets Republicans off the hook…

Blow-up

By Gary Pearce January 27, 2026

Trump thought he’d win political points by inciting protests and violence in Minnesota. But the brutality and overreaction of ICE stormtroopers is backfiring on him. Resistance is rising – among the American people and even among Republican politicians. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis called for “a thorough and impartial investigation” into the shooting Saturday of…

A Champion for Democracy

By Gary Pearce January 23, 2026

For a quarter century, Bob Phillips championed better government, fair elections and healthy democracy. He retired last month after 25 years as executive director of Common Cause in North Carolina – building one of the biggest, most active and most effective state chapters in the country. Never flashy or addicted to the spotlight, Bob labored…

Questions for America’s 250th

By Gary Pearce January 20, 2026

Will 2026 be a celebration of 250 years of independence – or a reprise of the violent revolution that began our nation? It’s clear – from every poll and every recent election – that, after just one year, most voters are done with Trump and ready for change. It’s also clear that Trump is determined…

Namaste

By Gary Pearce January 14, 2026

We see two scenes on our screens today. In one, masked, combat-armed government goons intimidate, assault and murder innocent citizens. In the other, 18 Buddhist monks are on a Walk for Peace – 2,300 miles over 120 days from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. Some of them walk barefoot. All of them walk swiftly,…

Tillis Takes on Trump

By Gary Pearce January 13, 2026

Thom Tillis’ last year in the Senate could be his finest hour. He can keep up the great tradition of North Carolina Senators standing up to a criminal President. Fifty years ago, Senator Sam Ervin took on – and helped take down – Richard Nixon over Watergate. Five years ago, Senator Richard Burr voted to…

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…

Enough is Enough

By Gary Pearce March 11, 2026

Exactly 80 years ago, in 1946, Republicans took control of Congress with a simple message: “Had…