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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And the Winner is…

By Carter Wrenn December 16, 2010

The Civitas Institute has published a right interesting report about how much North Carolina’s Senators and Congressmen have requested earmarks over the last year and the winner is…   In the Senate when it comes to grabbing for the loot Kay Hagan whipped Richard Burr hands down, reaching into the Treasury to spend $3 to…

Lou Wilson Responds

By Gary Pearce December 16, 2010

Once again, we interrupt this blog to bring you a word from our clients.   I promise not to turn this into a long-running home-care versus assisted-living debate. But Lou Wilson with the N.C. Association of Long-Term Care Facilities takes issue with Carter’s blog “Grit” below.   Herewith Lou:   “Mentally ill people have not…

Meeting Jim Hunt

By Carter Wrenn December 15, 2010

Twenty-six years ago after the fourth Helms-Hunt debate I walked up onto the back of the stage and stood waiting for Jesse – as he talked to reporters – and suddenly the crowd shifted and I found myself standing face to face with Jim Hunt in the flesh – for the first time.   To…

Grit

By Carter Wrenn December 15, 2010

Gary and I have a bit of grit in the gears of our now going on decade long friendship and I’m afraid I’m the one who caused the problem.   Sometimes, if it’s a good story about how government works (or doesn’t work), I write about what I see or learn while working with a…

Into the Elephants’ Den

By Gary Pearce December 15, 2010

Since I tweaked Governor Perdue for the building-code mess (see below), I’ll salute her for a bold stroke at the legislative caucus today.   She went in to talk about the budget. But she seized the opportunity to challenge the new Republican House and Senate to act on three issues:   - Legislative session limits - More…

Shoddy Construction

By Gary Pearce December 15, 2010

You wouldn’t want the people who put together the new building code to build your house.   The Building Code Council Tuesday adopted rules to make new commercial and residential buildings more energy-efficient. But they were afraid the changes would increase the cost of homes when the home-buying market is in a depression. So they…

The Right Enemies

By Gary Pearce December 14, 2010

Things are looking up for President Obama.   First, he’s going to get a win.  Congress will pass the tax cut/stimulus bill he worked out with Republicans.   Even better for him, congressional Democrats – who had become a political anchor around the President’s neck – are mad about the bill.   And how can…

Crisis in Adult Care

By Gary Pearce December 14, 2010

I normally don’t blog about my clients. Simple reason: I’m afraid readers would stop reading.   But Carter forces my hand. He has posted several blogs about the assisted-living industry, also known as adult-care homes. They’re my clients: the N.C. Association of Long-Term Care Facilities and its director, Lou Wilson.   Carter reflects the views…

What Would John A. Do?

By Gary Pearce December 13, 2010

A reader writes: “Were you as astonished as me at the reaction to Bev’s consolidation plan?”   State Controller David McCoy told WRAL he is opposed to Governor Perdue’s Cabinet-consolidation plan.  Linda Hayes, Perdue’s Secretary of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, dragged her feet about how difficult it would be.   The reader notes: “If John…

Political Shots Fired

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2026

The political sniping began even as chaos still reigned at the White House Correspondents Dinner. My…

Obama 48-Trump 39

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2026

A new nationwide poll shows that, if they could run against each other in 2028, Barack…

“Conservative Successes”?

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2026

Senator Phil Berger was out of touch with voters in his district – and suffered the…