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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The Reverend Whacks the Chairman

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

One of the more dangerous varmints walking around on two legs is the good old-fashioned morally outraged Southern Demagogue and right now Reverend William Barber (head of the NAACP) fills the bill and he’s as mad as hell; the Reverend’s razor-tongued and ’fraid of nothing and he’s chomped down on school board Chairman Ron Margiotta…

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Politics Perdue Style

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

  Governor Perdue either has a new public relations guru or, suddenly, she’s started thinking in slogans because she’s firing them off rapid fire.   The other day down in Charlotte she let fly announcing her new education slogan: Ready. Set. Go.    Then she let loose on jobs chirruping our number one priority has…

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Ducking a Political Fight?

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

  Up in Washington, DC the Democrats on the City Council have put the Democrats in Congress on the hot seat by passing a law to make gay marriage legal in our nation’s Capital.   Now how on earth does that affect, say, Congressman Bob Etheridge who’s running for reelection here in North Carolina?  …

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Lanier Stumbles Again

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

  Over at DHHS High Lama and former lobbyist Lanier Cansler has promulgated a whole new set of rules governing folks who care for Medicaid patients.   For instance before a doctor can provide care to a Medicaid patient Lanier is going to check out his character, conduct, competence, criminal history, mental and physical health…

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Mass Hysteria

By Gary Pearce January 20, 2010

The polls hadn’t even closed in Massachusetts when Democrats formed up the requisite firing squad to fix the blame.   In truth, there are three factors here.   1. Scott Brown had the greatest gift in politics: an inept and overconfident opponent. Did she really go on vacation in the Caribbean last month?   2.…

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Obama Can’t Lose

By Gary Pearce January 19, 2010

Health-care reform may die in Massachusetts today, and Democrats across the country may panic, but a loss in the Senate race won’t be the death blow to the Obama Presidency that Republicans dream of.   In fact, Obama wins either way. A Democratic win in Massachusetts guarantees enactment of reform. A Republican win gives him…

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Basnight’s Pier

By Carter Wrenn January 17, 2010

I figured ole’ Marc Basnight just loved fishing piers, so he passed a bill to build the grandest one you ever saw – with a ballroom and restaurant – in his district. But it looks like Senator Basnight had a more practical reason: Basnight Construction Company is building the $25 million pier.   Next explaining…

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The Real Campaign

By Gary Pearce January 16, 2010

Nearly 50 years ago, Theodore White wrote a book, The Making of the President, that changed how campaigns are covered.   Now Mark Halperin and John Heilemann have revolutionized the genre again with Game Change – in a way that says a lot about today’s politics, communications and culture.   White told the inside story…

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Quote of the Year, So Far

By Gary Pearce January 15, 2010

Governor Perdue this week at the ribbon-cutting for a “green” McDonald’s in Cary:   “I love McDonald’s. I eat here all the time, as you can see from my butt.”

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Tillis’ Choice

By Gary Pearce February 12, 2025

Senator Thom Tillis is a good politician. He may be good enough to preserve his image…

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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…

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Always Wrong

By Carter Wrenn February 7, 2025

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

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