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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More Stormy Weatherly

By Gary Pearce April 8, 2011

I got a nice email from Keith Weatherly thanking me for posting his response to my blog. So I almost feel guilty extending this matter.   But I heard from three different TAPsters in response to Keith’s response. And, you understand, my day goes much more easily when I let other people do the work.…

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More on Concealed Handguns…

By Carter Wrenn April 7, 2011

After passing new laws making it legal to carry concealed handguns in bars and restaurants and holding a ‘how to get a concealed handgun permit class’ at the State Legislature it would seem by now House Speaker Thom Tillis and company would have passed enough new gun laws to rest for awhile – but not…

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For President…

By Carter Wrenn April 7, 2011

Good Lord! This is truly hair-curling.   NBC News and the Wall Street Journal have taken a poll and real estate developer turned reality show star Donald Trump is in second place in the Republican Primary for President.   It’s enough to shake your faith in democracy – almost a fifth of the Republican Primary…

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The Great GOP Budget Gamble(s)

By Gary Pearce April 7, 2011

In Raleigh and Washington, Republican lawmakers are moving forward confident in the belief that – this time – the American people are really, really ready to really, really cut spending.   They better hope so.   Historically, we elect politicians who promise to cut taxes and cut spending. Then we revolt when we see the…

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Keith Weatherly Responds

By Gary Pearce April 7, 2011

I received this email from Keith Weatherly re my blog on “The Tillis Retirement Home”: “You need better informed TAPsters.  I work for Majority Leader Stam – not the Speaker.  Past 2 years I worked for Minority Leader Stam.  I had floor privileges as staff for minority (as does current Minority Leader’s staff).  Majority Leader’s…

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What’s Running NC Politics…

By Carter Wrenn April 6, 2011

Cynics laugh and say no good deed ever goes unpunished and I’m beginning to think they have a point: Last year for the first time since Reconstruction voters elected a Republican legislature, which looked like a near fatal political blow to Governor Perdue but now, instead, it looks like voters may have thrown the Governor…

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Yow Shoots PR Bricks

By Gary Pearce April 6, 2011

Whatever her talents as NCSU’s AD, Debbie Yow’s PR skills are lacking. As an alum, I hope she’s better at hiring than communicating.   I’m a fan, not a fanatic. I like what I see about the new coach. But, once again, I’m stunned by the frenzy Wolfpack fans can work themselves into when everything…

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The Tillis Retirement Home

By Gary Pearce April 6, 2011

Here’s an interesting tip from a TAPster:   “Has anybody noticed that the cozy corner office of the NC Speaker of the House has become a retirement home for wayward ex-legislators? At last count, the Speaker has three of the lost souls on his staff. Charles Thomas and Bill Daughtridge were recently joined by Bruce…

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The Elephant in the Corner

By Carter Wrenn April 5, 2011

Decades ago I attended a meeting on redistricting over at State Republican headquarters and a bright, sharp young man whipped out a stack of maps of Congressional Districts and happily announced he had figured out a way to create three minority districts in North Carolina.   Then he whipped out more maps of State House…

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Education Governor

By Gary Pearce March 13, 2025

With a better General Assembly, Josh Stein could join Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford on North…

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The N&O Story

By Gary Pearce March 12, 2025

Once upon a time, there was a great and powerful newspaper: The News & Observer. Everybody…

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How Democrats Win Again

By Gary Pearce March 10, 2025

The shouting, sign-waving and cane-wielding by congressional Democrats at the State of the Union isn’t a…

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