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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The War Over Women

By Gary Pearce April 13, 2012

Often in politics it’s your friends – not your enemies – who do you the most damage.   Democrats were on a roll with the Republican “war on women.” Then a Democratic operative, Hillary Rosen, let slip a comment that some people heard as a “war on moms.”   Rule One, as President Obama observed,…

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A Debatable Primary

By Gary Pearce April 12, 2012

Here are two questions that answer all you need to know about the Democratic primary for governor.   Have you seen a TV ad by any of the candidates?   Do you plan to watch any of the three back-to-back debates next week?   With no ads running, the debates will give most primary voters…

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An Example of Spin

By Carter Wrenn April 12, 2012

For the last month Paul Coble’s been running a TV ad criticizing Congress for raising the national debt 50%. Then, the other day, The American Foundations Committee (which is running an independent campaign supporting George Holding) ran an ad pointing out Coble has supported raising Wake County’s debt 93%. Coble’s response: He told the press…

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Fickleness

By Carter Wrenn April 11, 2012

Rick Santorum’s struck the flag and the Insurgents and Tea Partiers have been routed by the ‘Old Guard;’ long ago, flush with victory after the 2010 election, the Tea Partiers girded for battle with the Washington Republicans in the Presidential primaries.   At first the Insurgents rallied behind Michele Bachmann…   …then abandoned Bachmann for…

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New Governor, New Legislature, New Reality

By Gary Pearce April 11, 2012

Here’s a question that should come up in the Democratic gubernatorial candidates – a question no Democratic candidate for governor has ever been asked: How will you deal with a legislature controlled by Republicans?   The closest we came was 1996, when Jim Hunt was running for reelection and Republicans controlled the House. But Hunt…

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Romney’s Superpower

By Gary Pearce April 10, 2012

Democrats better not get too giddy over the USA Today/Gallup Poll that showed President Obama taking a 51-42 lead in the top 12 battleground states (which include North Carolina).   Obama’s lead is thanks to women under 50, who now favor Obama over Mitt Romney by 2-1.   Clearly, the Republican primary fight – and…

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Watch Us on WRAL

By Gary Pearce April 6, 2012

Carter and I taped a segment for WRAL’s “On the Record” weekend talk show today. Go to the station’s website for airtime – or to watch it online.   Our topic was the May presidential primary. Obviously, they were hard up for guests before Easter.

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Obama v Roberts

By Gary Pearce April 6, 2012

Some people are shocked, shocked, I tell you, that President Obama would challenge the majesty of the Supreme Court.   Get real. Court-bashing is as American as apple pie.   Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Franklin D. Roosevelt all challenged the court. For years after Brown v Board of Education, “Impeach Earl Warren” signs lined…

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A Baffling Mystery

By Gary Pearce April 5, 2012

Somebody please explain this.   Every Republican running for any office – no matter how high or low – seems to be running against Obamacare.   They rail against the mandate that everyone have health insurance. They say it’s socialistic, un-American and an outrageous intrusion of our liberties. They vow to repeal it.   Yet,…

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Deborah Ross’ Rx

By Gary Pearce March 7, 2025

Curmudgeonly Cajun James Carville says Democrats just need to “roll over and play dead” and wait…

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Puzzling

By Carter Wrenn March 7, 2025

Trump raised tariffs. Said tariffs are beautiful. The next day, about facing, said automakers didn’t have…

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The Unknown

By Carter Wrenn March 5, 2025

A legend in politics, with a sneaky streak but a kind heart, Paddy sat down in…

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