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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Perdue and Indians

By Carter Wrenn December 5, 2011

It’s hard to tell whether Governor Perdue’s deal with the Indians proves you can sell a Democratic Governor just about anything by saying it’ll help education or whether it proves our Democratic Governor figures she can sell the rest of us just about anything by saying it’ll help education.   Last Tuesday, the Governor announced…

Feeling the Pinch

By Gary Pearce December 5, 2011

Last week Republicans were chortling over campaign-law indictments of Democrats. Now they’re complaining about a campaign-law probe of Pat McCrory’s 2008 campaign.   Welcome to the NFL, and strap on your helmets.   From now on, every campaign is going to be under scrutiny for potential violations – not just by the state, but also by…

MOHOPs Do in Cain

By Gary Pearce December 2, 2011

Herman Cain may heed my wish and stay in the presidential race, but he has fallen prey to a political form of termites that I call MOHOPs – for headlines and stories that begin “Members of His/Her Own Party….”   In Cain’s case, MOHOPs are fellow Republicans who say things like “he’s a zombie; he’s…

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,…

Political Shots Fired

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2026

The political sniping began even as chaos still reigned at the White House Correspondents Dinner. My…

Obama 48-Trump 39

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2026

A new nationwide poll shows that, if they could run against each other in 2028, Barack…

“Conservative Successes”?

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2026

Senator Phil Berger was out of touch with voters in his district – and suffered the…