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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Perdue Pushback on PPP Poll

By Gary Pearce October 5, 2010

Pearse Edwards in Governor Perdue’s office has pushed back hard against Public Policy Polling’s conclusion that she is a “liability” to Democrats this year because of her “failure to communicate with average voters”   In comments posted on PPP’s blog, Edwards called that analysis “not only unfair but wrong.” He added:   “Gov. Perdue’s net…

The Deficit Solution

By Gary Pearce October 4, 2010

There is a simple and easy solution to our nation’s budget deficit. It’s bound to work, because it relies on the tremendous energy and enthusiasm that the Tea Party movement has brought to politics.   Here it is: All members of the Tea Party must give up any claim to government benefits, beginning with Medicare…

How Government Works

By Carter Wrenn October 4, 2010

A couple of months ago an 80 year old man on Medicaid received a letter from Secretary of Health and Human Services Lanier Cansler’s department telling him his in-home medical care had been cut.  He appealed the ruling, proved he needed the care, and won.   But he still didn’t get it.  What happened?  …

The Politics of Principle

By Gary Pearce October 1, 2010

Michael Barone of Fox News made an astute point about Obama at this week’s John Locke luncheon. He said Obama is a very different president from Bill Clinton: Clinton was “unencumbered by principle,” while Obama is an “ideologue.”   Now, “ideologue” is a loaded word. You could also say “principled.”   You could apply the…

The Vatican and Victory Churches

By Carter Wrenn September 30, 2010

The other morning at breakfast my friend Richard the intellectual laid down his newspaper and said, ‘I thought you told me you and Jack Betts were friends?’   I looked up.  ‘We are.’   ‘Have you read his article in the newspaper this morning?’   I looked at the headline.  ‘Well, Jack supports the Ground Zero…

The New Bev?

By Gary Pearce September 30, 2010

That was a flash of steel Governor Perdue showed, firing Kenneth Lay. And there may be more to come.   John Hood of the John Locke Foundation said at the John Locke Luncheon Wednesday that a Republican legislature could be the best thing to happen to the Governor.   She would no longer have to…

Tea Party Skunk

By Gary Pearce September 30, 2010

I thought it was my job to be the skunk at the garden party: yesterday’s John Locke Foundation “Headliners Luncheon.” Then Mr. Herbert Hoover Rosser (yes, his real name) stood up.   I was the token Democrat on the panel. The other panelists and audience members were savoring the prospect of big Republican wins come…

Gary Responds to Carter’s Response

By Gary Pearce September 29, 2010

Carter, if you and I are going to start being all reasonable with each other, we’re going to lose our readers!   Your response poses a question I can’t begin to answer: How will Muslims around the world interpret it if we let the Islamic community center go up?   (Though I would be happy…

The Main Attraction

By Gary Pearce September 29, 2010

Today’s N&O story by Jay Price and Mandy Locke captured a telling vignette from the competing political rallies by the “Spending Revolt” bus tour and Organizing For America: Both featured videos of President Obama.   It reminded me of a conversation I had with a thoughtful Republican. He opined that the anger driving this year’s…

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…