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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Rules of Engagement

By Gary Pearce November 8, 2011

A TAPster offers advice for people in politics – or any calling  – who want to avoid being the next Herman Cain, or the next victim:   “Sexual harassment is wrong. Period. When a man, woman or child says no, it must stop immediately.   “Having said that, there are lessons for us all in…

Cain’s Scrutiny

By Gary Pearce November 7, 2011

Twenty years ago, another presidential candidate who had been rising in the polls ran into a sex scandal.   Bill Clinton survived. And went on to be President for eight years – Jennifer Flowers, Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky notwithstanding.   So maybe Democrats shouldn’t get too high and mighty about the allegations against Herman…

One Sin

By Carter Wrenn November 7, 2011

Over in Orange County the Democratic Commissioners would like to raise sales taxes, so there’s a referendum on the ballot on Election Day, which, normally, would lead to a fight between Democrats and Republicans – but that’s not how it works in Chapel Hill. Instead, the tax raisers have spared themselves a lot of strain…

Voter ID Deal?

By Gary Pearce November 7, 2011

A lobbyist friend suspects that the legislature will try to override the Governor’s veto of the voter ID bill this week.   Then we may learn whether some Democrats agreed to vote for the override in exchange for the gay-marriage amendment being on the ballot in May, instead of November.   Stay tuned.

Put Jim Hunt in Office

By Gary Pearce November 4, 2011

No, he’s not running again.  (It’s amazing how the rumor keeps coming up.)   We’re talking about his personal office in the new James B. Hunt, Jr. Library on Centennial Campus at N.C. State University.   The Jim Hunt Alumni Association is raising $100,000 for naming rights to the office.    Who are Jim Hunt…

Sixteen Again

By Gary Pearce November 3, 2011

It’s said that your favorite music will always be what you listened to when you were first steaming up car windows. The Kinks loom large in my soundtrack.   Last night I was transported back in time – in Charlotte, of all places – at a Ray Davies concert.   Nearly 50 years after “All…

A Lobbyist’s Rant

By Gary Pearce November 2, 2011

I received the angry missive below from a lobbyist – who wishes to remain nameless, for obvious reasons – in response to reports that Republican State Rep. Justin Burr used campaign funds to buy suits and jackets from Brooks Brothers in Raleigh.    “Lobbyists are a timid bunch.    “They never squawk when they’re treated…

Conglomerates and Push Polls

By Carter Wrenn November 1, 2011

Thom who’s twenty-eight and, after managing three campaigns for State legislature, has decided he’s ready to be a political consultant stopped in mid-sentence and pointed to the back of Albert’s newspaper,   ‘Geez, look at that.’   The waitress poured coffee.   Albert, who’s a pollster, turned over the paper and stared at a full…

The New North Carolina

By Gary Pearce November 1, 2011

There’s a direct line betweenRob Christensen’s Page 1 story today about why President Obama loves North Carolina and John Frank’s story yesterday about John and Ann Campbell’s role in the Wake school board race.   Long, long ago, before some of you were born, North Carolina had three industries: textiles, furniture and tobacco. In the…

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…