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.

CarterWrenn200x271

Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

Archives

Categories

A Bad File to Lose

By Carter Wrenn October 27, 2010

Clerk of Court races generally don’t generate a lot of sound and fury but the other day in Raleigh Republican Jan Pueschel sent out an email about her opponent – Democrat Lorrin Freeman (the incumbent) – that set sparks flying.   Almost everyone knows the story of Demario Atwater, who murdered UNC student Eve Carson…

Read More

Pope Power

By Gary Pearce October 27, 2010

I wish I had a dollar for every time a Democrat has told me over the last decade: “We need something like a John Locke Foundation.”   Democrats don’t, because they don’t have an Art Pope: somebody who puts his money – big money – where his convictions are.   You know he’s made it…

Read More

Good Intentions Gone Bad

By Gary Pearce October 27, 2010

A friend of mine who has done well as a lobbyist in Washington told me this story about the unintended consequences of campaign-finance reform.   Congress decided that the integrity our democracy is threatened by lobbyists buying meals – even a cup of coffee and a sandwich – for members.   So a lobbyist now…

Read More

9600 to 500

By Carter Wrenn October 26, 2010

Every now and then a fellow stumbles across a fact so eye-popping the moment he sees it he feels the ground shifting beneath his feet.   The other day in the newspaper a headline blared in big black letters that North Carolina’s unemployment rate had dropped, which sounded like good news until I read (in…

Read More

Prosecution Complex

By Gary Pearce October 26, 2010

Ten days before the election, we learn there is a federal investigation into Governor Perdue’s 2008 campaign.   It drowns out her push on state government reform. Which I seriously doubt was going to solve her political problems anyway.   The first thing I heard from Democrats: Why is George Holding still there? Would a…

Read More

Silly…

By Carter Wrenn October 25, 2010

The economy’s in tatters, fifteen million people are out of work, Obama’s stimulus plan’s a bust and in Raleigh state government’s got a $3 billion hole in the budget – but, not to worry, the Governor’s got a plan.  She’s ready to make the tough choices.  And she’s already announced the first step:  SHE’S GOING…

Read More

Remain Calm

By Gary Pearce October 25, 2010

A wise old Democrat I know offered this thought about the prospect of big Republican gains next week:   “Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. This may not be too bad a time to let them have the ball.”

Read More

I Apologize If You’re Offended

By Gary Pearce October 22, 2010

It has to be the most insincere and overused political phrase of the year: “I apologize if anyone was offended by what I said.”   In other words, “you’re an oversensitive wimp to be upset about what I said but I’ve got to make some kind of apology to satisfy the media.”   The latest:…

Read More

One Hundred and Thirty Seven Times?

By Carter Wrenn October 22, 2010

When Zahra Baker – who is 10-years-old – showed up with bruises and black eyes her friends and relatives reported their concerns she was being abused by her parents to the Department of Social Services.   Then, a week ago, Zahra’s disappeared.   And now the police, saying it looks like homicide, have jailed her…

Read More

Wake Up, America

By Carter Wrenn March 17, 2025

A dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, locked down during COVID, he called, surprised me asking: ‘Ford beat Reagan in…

Read More

Hope

By Gary Pearce March 17, 2025

I have hope – despite what Trump is doing. I have hope because of what he’s…

Read More

Education Governor

By Gary Pearce March 13, 2025

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

Read More