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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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 terse dismissal of election post-mortems: “When you win, everything you did was right. When you lose, everything you did was wrong.” Democrats can select from a lengthy list of excuses and explanations for Kamala Harris’ loss. Like, “It was…

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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 LGBTQ+ people and for all marginalized people. Bad for the Democratic Party nationally. But North Carolina proved that Democrats and progressives can win. Good candidates who ran good campaigns won: Josh Stein, Rachel Hunt, Jeff Jackson, Mo Green and…

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A Sign of Hope

By Carter Wrenn November 5, 2024

Out of a clear blue sky a sign of hope landed in my inbox Saturday morning. Here’s Larissa Phillips’ story from The Free Press (below).   Whatever Happens, Love Thy Neighbor I’m a Democrat living in a red, rural county. Trump supporters have mowed my lawn, walked my dog, and eroded my prejudices with their…

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No Healing?

By Carter Wrenn November 4, 2024

Biden got out. Harris got in. Trump got shot. Insults flew. The election boiled down to seven states. It’s over tomorrow night – and Lord willing Wednesday the sun will rise on a peaceful day. And healing begins. But what if…as Trump watches votes roll in tomorrow night, leading Harris, he announces he won. But…

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A Tale of Two Rallies

By Gary Pearce October 31, 2024

The contrast couldn’t have been more stark. And it could easily swing a close election. Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden Sunday was hateful, divisive and mean-spirited. Kamala Harris’ rally in front of the White House Tuesday was hopeful, unifying and uplifting. She drew the contrast in her speech: “I pledge to you to…

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A Different Drummer

By Carter Wrenn October 30, 2024

Russia’s targeting Hispanic voters in six swing states, spreading tales on the internet during our election. Iran’s targeting Arab Americans, Muslims, and Black voters in swing states. China’s spinning tales in Spanish on Facebook, YouTube and X, targeting Hispanic voters not just in the Presidential race but in House and Senate races. And it hacked…

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Wild Times

By Carter Wrenn October 28, 2024

This election keeps getting crazier and crazier – we’ve now got China hacking Trump’s cell phone. And Russia spinning tales on the internet to help Trump. A New York Times headline howled Harris dropped an F-bomb on Trump – calling him a fascist. Trump fired back – calling her a communist. Elon Musk’s holding a…

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Two Warriors

By Gary Pearce October 28, 2024

There are newer names and bigger stars campaigning for Democrats this year: the Obamas, Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé. But two veteran warriors, Bill Clinton and Jim Hunt, were back together this month doing what they’ve done for decades: campaigning for progress, fairness and equal opportunity. Hunt and Clinton were at a get-out-the-vote event in Hunt’s…

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Carville is Right: We Will Win

By Gary Pearce October 24, 2024

James Carville was the first and loudest Democrat to say President Biden should step aside. I disagreed, but Carville was right and I was wrong. Now he’s written an op-ed in The New York Times: “Three Reasons I’m Certain Kamala Harris Will Win.” This time, I agree. He’s right again. His three reasons: “Mr. Trump…

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Another Story from Politics

By Carter Wrenn December 24, 2024

Watergate sunk Nixon. Jimmy Carter was elected. Two years later Jesse Helms ran for reelection. In…

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Unhappy Holidays?

By Gary Pearce December 24, 2024

We Americans are angry this Christmas. 77 million voters were so angry they elected Trump. 75…

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A Surprise

By Carter Wrenn December 23, 2024

‘You tell a lot of good stories about Reagan, like his saying a prayer for the…

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