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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A Salesman’s Pitch

By Carter Wrenn July 3, 2023

After being indicted, Trump flew to New Hampshire, told voters: “They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom.” Added: “They’re not after me, they’re after you and I’m just standing in their way. Right?” I’m a victim. I fight for you. It’s you they’re really after.…

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Democrats’ Split Personality

By Gary Pearce June 30, 2023

There are two wildly divergent states of mind – and emotional states – among North Carolina Democrats today. I saw one at last Saturday night’s Unity Dinner in Raleigh. I see and hear the other among Democrats in politics and government in Raleigh. At the dinner, 400-plus eager, energized and enthusiastic Democrats jammed the reception,…

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Testy

By Carter Wrenn June 30, 2023

Oklahoma’s governor endorsed Ron DeSantis. Unhappy, Trump tweeted, ‘I won 77 of 77 counties’ – in Oklahoma – ‘something that never happened before.’ George Bush won 77 of 77 Oklahoma counties in 2004. Mitt Romney won 77 of 77 in 2012. But Trump got testy. And facts didn’t matter.

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Classic Trump

By Carter Wrenn June 29, 2023

Trump said: “Unlike Ron DeSanctimonious, who worked to gut Medicare and Social Security and voted three times to raise the retirement age to 70, I will always fight for our great seniors.” An insult, a nickname, followed by a punch, ending in a boast. Classic Trump. By the way: Trump, himself, supported raising the retirement…

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“Hitler,” Mr. Robinson?

By Gary Pearce June 28, 2023

Mark Robinson, who leads the Republican race for governor of North Carolina, said this about the criminal charges against Donald Trump: “Law and order has been destroyed, and we have a two-tiered justice system that has been weaponized against political enemies, much like it was during Hitler’s reign.” Have you read the indictment, Mr. Robinson?…

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“MAGA Fascists” vs Democracy

By Gary Pearce June 26, 2023

Adrian Fontes doesn’t mince words. He calls election-deniers “MAGA fascists.” Fontes, Arizona’s newly elected secretary of state, was the keynote speaker at the state Democratic Party’s Unity Dinner Saturday night. The big, burly ex-Marine with a booming voice and commanding presence delivered the most powerful and inspiring speech I’ve heard since Barack Obama in 2008.…

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Eyes on Russia

By Gary Pearce June 24, 2023

While we were obsessing over billionaires at the bottom of the ocean, a civil war broke out in Russia. In 1917, civil war in Russia led to the fall of the Tsar and the rise of communism and the Soviet Union. In 1991, armed conflict in Moscow led to the breakup of the Soviet Union,…

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Dining With Democrats

By Gary Pearce June 23, 2023

I’m doing something Saturday I haven’t done in years: go to a Democratic Party dinner. There, I’ll remember a man who is little known to Democrats, but meant a lot to me – and to North Carolina. The occasion is the state party Unity Dinner. I’ve done my time at these things. I’ve half-eaten too…

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“Deeply Sad” Abortion Ad?

By Gary Pearce June 21, 2023

A right-wing blog took a swing this week at Rachel Hunt’s abortion ad – and at her father, former Governor Jim Hunt. In a blog headlined “Rachel Hunt releases deeply sad campaign video,” Andrew Dunn wrote in Longleaf Politics: “State Sen. Rachel Hunt is making the abortion issue the centerpiece of her campaign for lieutenant…

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Recessional

By Carter Wrenn November 11, 2024

The tumult and the shouting dies; The Captains and the Kings depart: Still stands Thine ancient…

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Mistakes and Miss-Takes

By Gary Pearce November 10, 2024

Bert Bennett of Winston-Salem, the legendary political godfather to Terry Sanford and Jim Hunt, had a…

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Don’t Give Up

By Gary Pearce November 6, 2024

This is bad. Bad for America and for the world. Bad for women, for immigrants, for…

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