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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WOWW, Part 3

By Gary Pearce November 15, 2010

WOWW: Where Obama Went Wrong   So here’s my theory, keeping in mind that when you’re a hammer, everything is a nail. I’m a political media guy, so I see a political-media answer.   Yes, Obama should have done a better job explaining what he was doing.   Yes, he made a mistake letting Pelosi,…

Perdue Off and Running

By Carter Wrenn November 14, 2010

The smoke hasn’t cleared from the last election and Governor Perdue’s already off and running in the next one which, if you think about it, makes pretty good sense because we’ve never had a Governor more unpopular than Beverly Perdue.   After lagging for two years, this fall Governor Perdue’s popularity hit rock bottom: She…

WOWW, Part 2

By Gary Pearce November 12, 2010

WWOW: Where Obama Went Wrong   One thing I always enjoy about working with Governor Hunt is his passion and enthusiasm for new ideas. From primary-reading programs to Smart Start to new industry, he never stops pursuing bigger and better things for North Carolina.   So, naturally, he had a thought about what Obama might…

Recount

By Carter Wrenn November 11, 2010

Just when I thought I’d seen it all out of the blue I ran head-on into a living breathing piece of devilment called the Recount.   In North Carolina the recount medusa only raises its head if a candidate wins by less than 1% of the vote.  In Renee Ellmers’ race with Congressman Bob Etheridge…

Erskine’s Grenades

By Gary Pearce November 11, 2010

In business, government and education, one of Erskine Bowles’ great strengths – and, as a politician, one of his great weaknesses – was a fondness for speaking blunt truths. He relishes telling people what they don’t like to hear.   But now he has truly surpassed himself.   First, he set North Carolina on its…

Millions of Reasons for Hope

By Gary Pearce November 11, 2010

Here’s some tonic for Democrats depressed about last week’s elections.   In North Carolina, 2.7 million people voted Nov. 2 – a turnout of 43 percent. In 2008, 4.3 million North Carolinians voted – a 70 percent turnout. That’s a drop of 1.6 million voters.   Nationally, 75 million people voted last year. In 2008,…

WOWW, Part 1

By Gary Pearce November 10, 2010

“WOWW” stands for “Where Obama Went Wrong.” Beginning today, I will present various theories I have heard from Democrats. Then I will unveil my own super-secret, foolproof answer.   Obama’s theory – articulated by him before the election and by several Democrats since – is that he “got the policy right and the politics wrong.”…

That’s The Spirit

By Gary Pearce November 10, 2010

Republican legislators say they’ll balance the state budget by combing through every item.   Now comes Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler – a Republican.   The Greensboro News & Record reports that he “says there’s nowhere left to cut in his department and he has refused to give Gov. Bev Perdue recommendations on where to cut…

Perdue’s Choice

By Gary Pearce November 9, 2010

Governor Perdue faces a critical policy and political choice.   The media is focused on what the new Republican legislature will do to balance the budget.   But the Governor has to make the first move. She proposes the budget.   And the course she takes could decide whether she becomes North Carolina’s first one-term…

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…