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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Faison Takes a Swing

By Gary Pearce December 1, 2011

Bill Faison is like a boxer who took a knockout swing, missed and left himself wide open for the counterpunch.   The day after Monday’s indictments, Faison told Laura Leslie at WRAL-TV: “I think, ultimately, Gov. Perdue will do the right thing and decide not to run. I don’t believe you’ll ever see her file.” …

Stay the Course, Herman!

By Gary Pearce November 30, 2011

Spermin’ Herman Cain needs to ignore the lamestream media – and the parade of women – and stay in the presidential race.   It will be a sad campaign without him. His entertainment value knows no bounds. What would this year have been like without his electrified border fence, his halting uncertainty about Libya and…

What’s the Fallout?

By Gary Pearce November 29, 2011

Monday’s campaign-finance indictments gave everybody something.   Republicans, of course, are chortling over the potential problems for Governor Perdue. Although, notably, Reps. David Lewis and Skip Stam sounded cautionary notes over how hard it can be to interpret campaign laws. As well they should, for some Republican will get tripped up. Count on it.  …

Dark Deeds Indeed

By Gary Pearce November 28, 2011

It sounds like a Seal Team Six operation: “As North Carolina Republicans tell it, the Obama for America volunteers stole in under cover of night and stayed, undetected — noticed belatedly only because of election results across the state.”   That’s the New York Times account – “Team Obama Gears Up for 2012” – of…

Who’ll Be Giving Thanks in 2012?

By Gary Pearce November 25, 2011

A year from now, Republicans or Democrats will be celebrating victory in the Presidential race. But a recent breakfast exchange suggests neither side is confident now:   A Republican: “Romney is bound to get the nomination, and he won’t excite the Republican base. Obama will win, he’ll carry North Carolina, and he’ll pull Perdue in…

Thanks for Thanksgiving

By Gary Pearce November 23, 2011

It’s my favorite holiday. No presents, no carols, no decorating (until you start on Christmas), just food and family. Also, for me this year, some golf and the State basketball and football games.   It’s the quintessential American celebration.   Plus, it’s always on Thursday. So you get a guaranteed four-day weekend, or maybe five,…

Layoff Numbers Game

By Gary Pearce November 23, 2011

Here’s a TAPster’s interesting talk on the flap about how many job layoffs the legislature caused:   “Sometimes it’s hard to tell who has better aim at their feet these days, the Democrats or the Republicans — and whether there’s anyone out there holding them accountable for their poor politics or obfuscating rhetoric.  The latest…

My Date With Natalie Wood

By Gary Pearce November 22, 2011

News that the investigation has been reopened into Natalie Wood’s death recalls what might have been.   As a young man, I had a serious case of the hots for Natalie. Some years later, around 1981 or so, she was in the Triangle filming “Brainstorm,” which would be her last movie.   Governor Hunt, then…

Fracked Up

By Gary Pearce November 21, 2011

For all my digital-media enthusiasm, I still have one foot firmly planted in the old media world. Especially when I can spend a fine Sunday morning perusing the N&O and New York Times. And especially when it leads to a realization like yesterday’s:   North Carolina will have a war over fracking in 2012.  …

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…