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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The Saga of Bob Etheridge

By Carter Wrenn September 20, 2011

Last fall Congressman Bob Etheridge lost his re-election bid and suddenly – after thirty-two years in public office – found himself out of a job. But only for a month. The nimble Congressman quickly landed himself a new job (earning $98,500) as North Carolina’s ‘Economic Stimulus Czar’ passing out President Obama’s ‘Economic Stimulus Funds.’ Then…

Gay-Marriage Surprises

By Gary Pearce September 20, 2011

Constitutional amendments banning gay marriage passed overwhelmingly in other Southern states, I’m told, so one is likely to pass here, too.   But think of the unintended consequences that may result.   Republicans apparently realized that a November 2012 referendum might bring out a group of anti-gay marriage voters the GOP doesn’t want to encourage:…

Scratching Their Heads

By Carter Wrenn September 20, 2011

For a decade Raleigh’s Mayor’s elections have been tales of Democrats trouncing Republicans which isn’t surprising as Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one but this year there’s an unheard of twist in the Mayor’s race: No Democratic candidate. Instead there are two Republicans and an Independent.   Democratic Mayor Charles Meeker – who’s retiring –…

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…

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…