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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Knightdale Builds a Bridge

By Carter Wrenn January 18, 2012

Over in Knightdale they’re building a million dollar footbridge over the Neuse River so residents can walk or jog or cycle down the Neuse River Greenway Trail, meandering through what they call a ‘wilderness area.’ Even better, if you’re from Knightdale, the million dollar bridge is free because Washington and state government are paying for…

Bev Is Right

By Gary Pearce January 18, 2012

Give Governor Perdue credit: whether it’s good politics or not, she’s doing the right thing on the sales tax.   Unless, of course, you believe it’s right for North Carolina to be 49th in the country in education spending. And some people clearly do. That’s the crowd that wants to further defund the schools, so…

Mitt’s Tin Ear

By Gary Pearce January 18, 2012

What political planet does Mitt Romney live on? How long does he really think he can get by without releasing his tax returns?   He’ll have to do it. The longer he waits, the greater the pressure and the anticipation. And the clearer it becomes he has a lot he wants to hide from the…

Sinking Sensation

By Gary Pearce January 18, 2012

A TAPster sees a connection between strange events.   First, “the Dean Dome wine and cheesers booed Governor Perdue last week. That disruption in the universe apparently poisoned the UNC basketball team, which played one of its worst games in history at Florida State. The Tar Heels’ spot-on imitation of a junior high team prompted…

Get Over Art Pope

By Gary Pearce January 17, 2012

A true-blue progressive Democrat vents – and sums up my own reaction to the jihad against Art (“I Am Not an Heir”) Pope:   “I’m over all the finger pointing at Art Pope. I don’t know him or agree with him on just about anything. However, I don’t think what he is doing is illegal…

Live From Myrtle Beach

By Gary Pearce January 17, 2012

A TAPster who was at the South Carolina Republican debate sent these updates last night:   (7:52 PM): Republicans are having a great time tonight in Myrtle Beach. Cocktail hour is in overtime as they await the 9 pm kickoff of the big debate. Many Romney supporters but, South Carolinians being South Carolinians, would love…

Palmetto Strategy

By Gary Pearce January 16, 2012

It’s somehow fitting that the state that started the Civil War generally decides the Republican presidential war.   The question this year is whether Mitt Romney’s opponents picked the wrong battle. Was it a mistake to attack him on Bain Capital instead of his shifting positions on social issues? Suppose they made more of an…

Stirring the Hornets’ Nest

By Gary Pearce January 15, 2012

Judging from Sunday’s letters in the N&O, House Republicans certainly have stirred up the state’s teachers. And the NEA has this story about a 10-year teachers’ assistant from Moore County – a Republican herself – who is mad about how the House treated the NCAE and ready to seek revenge.   She says: “The folks…

Taking Credit

By Gary Pearce January 13, 2012

Here I was thinking that Tom Fetzer, Thom Tillis and Phil Berger were the brains behind the Republican victory in the 2010 legislative races.   I find that – instead – it was a group of political consultants based in Florida. And they’re happy to tell you so. Click here to read how smart they say…

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…