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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It’s Free!

By Carter Wrenn February 14, 2012

I wonder, sometimes, if Obama believes what he’s saying? He ordered the Catholic Church to provide contraceptives to its employees;― the Bishops said No, outrage followed, and Obama realized he’s bitten off more than he could chew.   So Obama announced he had a solution. The Church, he said, wasn’t going to have to provide…

Politics 101

By Carter Wrenn February 14, 2012

A lot of times people ask me about political campaigns: How are they run? What matters? What doesn’t?   In fact, most political campaigns are simple. More often than not they boil down to one fact: Who voters know. Because when a voter walks into a voting booth if he knows one candidate and not…

Media Blitz

By Gary Pearce February 14, 2012

Bill Faison got a rude welcome to statewide politics. The N&O story about his ex-wife’s divorce allegations – published the day Faison filed – was like blitzing a rookie quarterback on his first play of the season.   The divorce apparently dogged Faison’s race against David Parker for state party chair – and cost him…

A Little Gunpowder

By Carter Wrenn February 13, 2012

One thing’s for sure: If Dan Blue runs for Governor it’s going to make the Democratic Governor’s Primary a lot more interesting.   Interesting, first, because of mathematics. Because over 40% of the Democratic voters are African-Americans and Senator Blue would be the only African-American candidate.   Interesting, second, because of history. Because Obama proved…

Moore’s Choice

By Gary Pearce February 13, 2012

In some ways, no candidate is better positioned for the now wide-open Democratic governor’s race than Richard Moore. He’s a smart, charismatic candidate with enough personal resources to be an instant front-runner.   Moore has strong credentials. He was Governor Hunt’s Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety. He was state Treasurer for eight years.…

Charging for the Exits

By Carter Wrenn February 10, 2012

The exodus of Democratic legislators stampeding out of Raleigh multiplied again Tuesday when three more Democrats (Linda Garrou, Jennifer Weiss and Edith Warren) announced they’re not running for reelection.   Granted, Democratic House and Senate candidates face plenty of tough challenges – new districts, empty campaign coffers, befuddled leaders. Plus, over the past year they’ve…

Since 1953

By Carter Wrenn February 10, 2012

Congresswoman Sue Myrick generated a bit of excitement Monday in Charlotte, saying she’s not running for reelection; — excitement for Democrats as this time it’s a Republican (instead of Governor Perdue or Speaker Hackney and two Democratic Congressmen) who’s not running. Excitement for Republicans because now there’s an open seat in a district that has…

Tweets We Want to See

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2012

On Twitter all politicians are relentlessly upbeat and never edgy. Like: “Great meeting with Meck Co Dems tonight!” “Looking forward to talking with kids at Morse Science High.” “We can fix this.”   Here are tweets I want to see from candidates:   “Up at 6 and not in until 1 am. #frazzled Am going…

A Dickens Novel

By Carter Wrenn February 9, 2012

Last Monday Mitt Romney was on top of the world. Everything was coming up roses – then on Tuesday night Rick Santorum swept Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota.   This may be too simple an explanation of what happened but if you take Newt Gingrich’s votes in Minnesota and Colorado and give them to Santorum, Santorum…

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…