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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Morning in Young America

By Gary Pearce May 3, 2011

The media and political elites’ reaction to Osama’s killing was predictable. Not so that of Real America. Especially Young America.   Democrats – understandably – were all but gloating that it was President Obama, the supposed Muslim Manchurian Candidate, who “got” bin Laden. MSNBC endlessly reminded us that President Bush had minimized the importance of…

It’s Not a Tax…

By Carter Wrenn May 2, 2011

Today’s new breed of politicians are a lot more versatile than the old-timers most of us grew up with.   In the old days when Democratic politicians raised ‘fees’ – like the fee you pay for your car registration – they’d argue stubbornly it was not a tax increase and Republican politicians would argue back,…

Mission Accomplished

By Gary Pearce May 2, 2011

It’s been a bad week for the Obama-haters.   First it turns out he was born in America. Then he orders the raid that kills Osama.   Curses, foiled again!   Now, how long will it take Donald Trump & Co. to question whether that really was bin Laden’s corpse?   I was struck by…

The Binary Budget Choice

By Gary Pearce April 29, 2011

Every now and then you read a sentence that hits you like a hammer. So it was the other day when I thumbed through the April 17 Newsweek, which I hadn’t picked up in many moons.   I chanced upon an essay by Niall Ferguson, “Doing the Right Thing: America finally comes to its senses…

Birthers and Shariah Law

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2011

The N&O front page today showed how Republicans are frittering away their once-in-a-blue-moon political advantage.   The more they talk about Obama’s birth certificate and the threat of Shariah law in America, the less they can take advantage of his real vulnerability, which was captured in an inside-page story: Americans are losing confidence in his…

For Sale

By Gary Pearce April 27, 2011

A TAPster notes that the House’s proposed budget includes a provision that would direct the Department of Administration to look into selling “state-owned land, buildings, and other assets that are unused, underused, or do not involve a core function of government.”   It did not take this wag long to come up with some suggestions:…

Mayoral Jockeying Begins

By Gary Pearce April 27, 2011

An active Raleigh Democrat and TAPster reports “there is quite a flap among the local Dems” over reports that outgoing Mayor Charles Meeker will back Nancy McFarlane, because she reportedly is registered as unaffiliated.  But our source adds, “Apparently McFarlane’s husband is a Dem, and has given lots of money to the party,” which makes…

Perdue-McCrory Poll Nuggets

By Gary Pearce April 27, 2011

A TAPster found the nuggets below in Public Policy Polling’s crosstabs on 2010 Governor’s race between Pat McCrory and Bev Perdue.  They illustrate the challenge the Governor faces. 29% of self-identified President Obama voters disapprove of Governor Perdue’s job performance 18% of self-identified Obama voters say they will vote for McCrory for Governor over Perdue…

The Party of Lincoln No More

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2011

Suddenly I feel for Responsible Republicans.   There is such a breed. I know some of them personally. Some of my best friends are Republicans!   They’re more conservative than I am – on most things. But they’re responsible people. Generally, they feel that America would be better off if government spent, taxed and regulated…

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…