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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Mark Robinson Lite

By Gary Pearce August 13, 2024

The last thing Josh Stein would need as governor is another Mark Robinson as lieutenant governor. That’s why state Senator Rachel Hunt’s race for lieutenant governor matters. Big time. Hunt’s opponent, Hal Weatherman, is a political lightweight – Mark Robinson Lite. He’s such a lightweight you could call him “Featherman.” He has never held public…

Trump Lies. Media Surrenders.

By Gary Pearce August 9, 2024

For more than an hour yesterday, Donald Trump ducked reporters’ questions and told lie after lie after lie – and the media meekly played along. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, the best talking head on TV, rightly ripped the media – and his own network – for its passive performance. His on-air spanking last night is well…

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…

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…

Rise and Fall

By Gary Pearce April 21, 2026

A reassuring lesson from our trip to Germany and Czechia is that dictators, despots and tyrants…