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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Draft Hillary?

By Gary Pearce September 19, 2011

As far as some Democrats are concerned, the only thing wrong with James Carville’s “Panic, Fire, Indict, Fight” advice for President Obama is that, for once, old James didn’t go far enough.   It’s time, they say, for President Obama to consider standing down next year and letting another Democrat (read, Hillary Clinton) take the…

With Governor Perdue as an Ally

By Carter Wrenn September 19, 2011

A little over a year ago an old friend (and Jesse Helms supporter) asked me to drive down to Albemarle to meet with a group of Republicans to help them in their fight with Alcoa Corporation.   To make a long story short the argument between the local Republican County Commissioners and Alcoa boils down…

Carville: Panic!

By Gary Pearce September 17, 2011

James Carville has a way of cutting to the chase. A TAPster sent along what he said on CNN this week:   “People often ask me what advice I would give the White House about various things. Today I was mulling over election results from New York and Nevada while thinking about that very question.…

Judges and Legislators

By Carter Wrenn September 16, 2011

You’ve got to admire Judge Howard Manning’s nerve – he’s only a state district court judge but for years he’s been issuing orders to Governors. Judge Manning’s modus operandi is simple: He looks at the State Budget, looks at the Constitution, then declares if the Governor doesn’t spend more on this or that program it’s…

Priorities, Priorities

By Gary Pearce September 16, 2011

A TAPster notes a striking example of where the state spends and where it cuts:   “Did the Jones Street Honorables notice a political paradox during their recent visit to Raleigh?   “Just a city block away from the Legislative Building, work is concluding on the construction of several gleaming new state government buildings and…

Who Runs the GOP?

By Gary Pearce September 15, 2011

After the Tea Party debate this week, a Florida Tea Party leader put it bluntly: “The Republican Party isn’t going to pick the presidential nominee. We’re going to pick the presidential nominee.”   The candidates then fell all over each other to show their fealty to the crowd. A crowd that, when a moderator asked…

NY Wipeout

By Gary Pearce September 14, 2011

Given President Obama’s visit here today, this is a timely and well-put rant from a North Carolina Democrat:   “The head of the DNC - Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz - attributed last night’s staggering loss in New Yorks’ 9th CD to ‘a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didn’t support the President to…

Outsmarting Themselves?

By Gary Pearce September 13, 2011

Democrats are high-fiving President Obama’s “American Jobs Act.” Progressive pundits and editorial/op-ed writers are applauding because he took their advice. He’s taking the fight to the Republicans, they all say: bearding the elephant in its own den.   For months, the pundits have been preaching that Americans don’t care about arcane things like deficits and…

9/11 Tragedy

By Gary Pearce September 12, 2011

At some point this weekend I reached 9/11 overload. It was wall-to-wall remembrances, reflections and recollections. No media outlet, no sporting event and no advertiser could miss the chance to milk as much heartfelt soulfulness as possible.   The focus, of course, was on the heroes, the fallen and the families: “Never forgotten.” “Never forget.”…

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…