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 Warning Sign

By Carter Wrenn August 8, 2024

Trump wanted to get more Black votes – he’d gotten 12% in 2020, was aiming to get 20% this time. And polls showed he was doing it – until Biden got out. Trump dropped back to 12% facing Kamala Harris. Trump set out to drive a wedge between Harris and Black voters, claiming ‘She was…

A Teacher for America

By Gary Pearce August 7, 2024

Picking Tim Walz was the first play Kamala Harris called as the Democratic presidential nominee. It was a touchdown. Walz is the dad, coach and – above all – teacher we need as Vice President. At a time when Republicans like Mark Robinson and Michele Morrow demean and demonize public-school teachers, Walz is a testament…

The Ground Shifted Beneath Trump’s Feet

By Carter Wrenn August 7, 2024

On stage at a rally Trump bashed ‘lyin’ Kamala…low IQ  Kamala.’ Back in 2016 he pummeled ‘Crooked’ Hillary the same way – and won. But when he pummeled ‘Sleepy’ Joe in 2020 he lost. Marching in Trump’s footsteps, pummeling Democrats, Republicans lost in 2018 and 2022. The economy tanked – running a third time Trump…

The Smell Test

By Carter Wrenn August 6, 2024

The headline surprised me: Trump donated to Kamala Harris campaign when she was California Attorney General. Trump gave Harris $6000, his daughter Ivanka gave another $2000. Trump’s campaign spokesman brushed it off saying Trump was a ‘global businessman who gave politicians money to play the game and win.’ Trump’s given the same answer himself before.…

Two Different Worlds

By Carter Wrenn August 5, 2024

The other day on TV a mother wearing a long white sweater sitting beside her dining room table talked about her son dying of a fentanyl overdose – then said she typically voted Republican but this time ‘Josh Stein is who I want to be governor.’ The same day in a video on Facebook, waving…

Robinson Unchanged on Abortion

By Gary Pearce August 5, 2024

The News & Observer headline said, “Mark Robinson changes his position on abortion law.” No, he hasn’t. His position is still the same. He believes politicians in Raleigh, not women, should make decisions about pregnancy. In a new ad about his wife’s abortion (photo), Robinson says, “I stand by our current law.” That doesn’t mean…

Pete for Veep

By Gary Pearce August 3, 2024

The safe, conventional-wisdom running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris is a middle-aged, middle-American Dad-type like Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania or Tim Walz of Minnesota or a military-astronaut guy like Mark Kelly of Arizona. The bold choice is Pete Buttigieg. No one can better build on the energy and enthusiasm Harris has generated. No one…

Biles vs Trump

By Gary Pearce August 2, 2024

On one screen, Simone Biles and the women’s gymnastics team were smiling, winning gold and bringing pride to Americans. On another screen, Trump was scowling, insulting Black women and sowing hate among Americans. Let’s turn off the Trump channel.

Getting Fooled

By Carter Wrenn August 2, 2024

Reagan battled Tip O’Neill for years but two Irishmen became friends. When Reagan was wounded O’Neill was one of the first men to visit him in the hospital, knelt by his bed, said a prayer, rising, leaning down, kissed Reagan on the forehead. George Bush and Bill Clinton, the younger Bush and Al Gore, Obama…

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…