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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Soaking the Rich?

By Gary Pearce August 31, 2011

There’s always been a healthy dose of class warfare in the debate over maintaining roads to barrier islands like Hatteras. It exploded in letters to the N&O today.   Said one writer: “Why is it that we all have to cater to the rich and their Shangri-Las at the coast? Isn’t it time that we…

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The Book on Bob Jordan

By Gary Pearce August 30, 2011

A biography of former Lt. Governor Bob Jordan, written by long-time North Carolina reporter and editor Ned Cline, is on the bookshelves.   Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh will host a book signing and presentation by Jordan and Cline at 7:30 p.m. this Wednesday.     The book, “The Man From Montgomery,” traces Jordan’s life and…

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911 For 511

By Gary Pearce August 29, 2011

This will make my friends at DOT mad, but face it: When it comes to informing the driving and tax-paying public, your 511 line – and your website – flunked the Irene test.   Anybody who tried Sunday to get updated information on specific roads from DOT knows that.   Apparently, the 511 line is…

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Bev and Irene

By Gary Pearce August 28, 2011

Politico did the obligatory piece on Governor Perdue and Irene (quoting Brad Crone and me) and reminding us that politics is never far from a storm.   “The storm packs a potentially pivotal political moment,” for Perdue, it said. And had this: “She shines in a battle, and this is going to be a battle.…

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Blown Away

By Gary Pearce August 26, 2011

What’s worse: going through a hurricane, or going through days, even weeks, of agony, anxiety and anticipation listening to hyperventilating, iron-pumping weather announcers and reading shrieking headlines (as in “Shrieking Irene aims its fury at NC coast”)? As the storm’s barometric pressure goes down, our blood pressure goes up.   Actually, what’s worse is dealing…

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Press Office Follies

By Gary Pearce August 26, 2011

A TAPster shares this AP story: “RALEIGH — Gov. Beverly Perdue’s staff is taking the blame for failing to alert the North Carolina public sooner that the governor had declared a state of emergency for nearly 40 eastern counties for the approaching Hurricane Irene. “Perdue’s press office announced late Thursday morning her declaration, which sets…

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Teeing Up Faith

By Gary Pearce August 25, 2011

A group of golfers and non-golfers were talking this week about Webb Simpson’s comments after winning his first PGA event.   Not what he said about his putting or a crucial drive or a big save. But the first words out of his mouth when David Feherty stuck a microphone in his face on the…

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Huh?

By Gary Pearce August 24, 2011

The email from David Parker, state Democratic Party chairman, promised a rip-roaring attack on Republican leaders: “Tillis, McCrory and Berger: Turning Back The Clock On NC Schools.”   Then came the first line:  “Last week, Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly decided to challenge a court ruling on pre-kindergarten access could lead to an…

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Perry Hits Iceberg

By Carter Wrenn August 23, 2011

I used to think the media or most of it looked at the world through ‘two left eyes’ – back in the days of Jesse Helms the media’s liberal bias was a mantra and article of faith.   Now, I’ve come to think what the media loves more than politics or ideology is a good…

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Education Governor

By Gary Pearce March 13, 2025

With a better General Assembly, Josh Stein could join Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford on North…

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The N&O Story

By Gary Pearce March 12, 2025

Once upon a time, there was a great and powerful newspaper: The News & Observer. Everybody…

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How Democrats Win Again

By Gary Pearce March 10, 2025

The shouting, sign-waving and cane-wielding by congressional Democrats at the State of the Union isn’t a…

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