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

Orange Water

By Carter Wrenn July 2, 2010

Unless you happen to subscribe to the Asheville Citizen Times, you probably missed this article by columnist John Boyle about North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman David Young:   Citizens Times.com May 27, 2010   Time for David Young to do the right thing John Boyle COLUMNIST   Really, David?     I can’t believe how…

Read More

Sinking the Megaport

By Gary Pearce July 2, 2010

  The proposed international port at Southport is headed for Davy Jones Locker. The money was cut from the budget, and Congressman Mike McIntyre came out in opposition.   A wise reader – and veteran Raleigh hand – believes there a lesson here: how to royally screw up a public-policy initiative.   His take:  …

Read More

Cleanup Crew

By Gary Pearce July 1, 2010

President Obama rolled out his best 2010 message yesterday at a town hall in Wisconsin. Click here to see one clip that captures it.   The message is simple: The Republicans gave us a mess, and they refuse to help clean it up.   Maybe Obama’s team has learned a lesson: They haven’t played the…

Read More

15,833

By Carter Wrenn June 30, 2010

Back in 2003 two enterprising ladies from the mountains (from the Hamlet of Sparta) went into the business of providing care to Medicaid patients. Seven years later a judge in the mountains put them out of business and sent them to jail for four years – because the two ladies had hoo-dooed Secretary Lanier Cansler’s…

Read More

Italians and Suburbanites

By Carter Wrenn June 30, 2010

These days we old-fashioned southerners in Raleigh are getting an education about Italians as the war between the Tedescos and Margiottas (who’ve taken over the School Board) and our local ‘Progressives’ (who’re livid at the Italians for ending busing) roars along.   About the only person in town sounding reasonable these days is the News…

Read More

Marshalling Money

By Gary Pearce June 30, 2010

Elaine Marshall has to make a tough choice: raise money from Raleigh lobbyists or not.   She already took flak for it in the primary. Her defense: It wasn’t much money, and the donors were old friends.   Now that she’s won, it could be a lot more money. And a lot more flak.  …

Read More

Richard W. Burr?

By Gary Pearce June 30, 2010

Richard Burr better hope that debate performances have little impact on the November election – or get better fast.   A lawyer friend (I’m not sure if she’s a Democrat or Republican) went to the Burr-Marshall debate last week at the N.C. Bar Association.   Her take: Marshall was stronger than she expected – and…

Read More

Off the Hook

By Carter Wrenn June 29, 2010

The Department of Health and Human Services has to be my favorite part of state government – it’s the perfect blend of bungling, chicanery and politics all built on a foundation of good intentions.   Over the past year Secretary Lanier Cansler – who’s sort of a combination of Fagan and Houdini – has been…

Read More

Voices, Rules and Tabloids

By Carter Wrenn June 29, 2010

Back in the old days in political campaigns there were usually three ‘voices’ talking to voters. Today there’re more voices than anyone can count.   For instance, back in 1984 when Jesse Helms ran against Jim Hunt the three ‘Voices’ voters heard were Helms,’ Hunt’s,  and the press. Twenty-six years later we’re in the middle…

Read More

A Democrat to Watch

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2025

No, Trump’s blitzkrieg hasn’t left Democrats hapless, hopeless and rudderless. Here’s one example of the immense…

Read More

Always Wrong

By Carter Wrenn February 7, 2025

It’s a kind of mystery – will hitting Canada and Mexico with tariffs land us in…

Read More

Broken Egg Promise

By Gary Pearce February 7, 2025

Waffle House shows Trump lied – and broke his biggest promise. He promised, “when I win,…

Read More