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 Post New South Era

By Carter Wrenn June 28, 2010

Thirty five years ago when our current Mayor Charles Meeker migrated from Washington to Raleigh our local “Progressive’ politicians – and the Mayor joined their camp – were laboring mightily to give birth to the ‘New South.’   A generation later the ‘Progressives’ had triumphed: The old fogey southern WASP’s had been routed and whatever…

Renaming Enloe

By Gary Pearce June 28, 2010

The Powers That Be on the WakeCounty school board are once again demonstrating their fatal flaw: They pick needless fights.   What is the sense of this fight over changing the name of EnloeHigh School?   Clearly, it’s payback – and spite.   If Margiotta and Tedesco were bigger men – and real leaders –…

McChrystal’s Balls

By Gary Pearce June 26, 2010

General Stanley McChrystal and his hard-driving team probably didn’t say anything about their civilian bosses that military leaders haven’t always said about their civilian bosses.   McChrystal & Co. just said it in front of a reporter. From Rolling Stone, no less.   No wonder these guys can’t catch Osama.   McChrystal never quite hit…

We’re on WRAL

By Gary Pearce June 25, 2010

Carter and I taped WRAL’s “On the Record” today for airing Saturday night at 7 p.m. Or you can watch it on the station’s website.   We were with anchor Bill Leslie and WUNC radio’s Laura Leslie (no relation to Bill). The topic, of course, was Tuesday’s runoffs and the November elections.

E-NC Authority

By Carter Wrenn June 25, 2010

A while back President Obama’s administration was giving cell phones to people on welfare and, now, State Senator Doug Berger has sponsored a bill to have the “E-NC Authority” provide broadband Internet service to the same folks. It is unclear how hard-pressed welfare recipients will get computers.   Senator Berger’s bill may be seen as…

Not From Here

By Gary Pearce June 25, 2010

Raleigh is reviving an old Southern trait: We don’t cotton to outside agitators invading paradise and stirring up folks.   First my old friend Grady Jefferys wrote a provocative piece in the N&O complaining about “big city” ideas ruining old Raleigh.   This week, after losing his Republican congressional primary, Bernie Reeves lamented that we’re…

Why We Like Women

By Gary Pearce June 24, 2010

Women are winning everywhere: Elaine Marshall, Nikki Haley, Blanche Lincoln, Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman.   North Carolina leads the way. Marshall would make two female Senators. A female governor. As Thomas Mills with the Marshall campaign pointed out, seven of ten statewide winners in 2008 were women. And women are moving up in the legislature…

Marshall Arts

By Gary Pearce June 23, 2010

There’s a simple explanation for Elaine Marshall’s victory: Thomas Mills.   Her homegrown campaign manager outwitted Cal Cunningham’s bigger-name team, defied the DSCC and disproved the doubters.   Maybe one time in 10 the candidate with less money wins. This was one, and that’s a big win in politics.   As Secretary of State, Marshall…

More With D.G.

By Gary Pearce June 23, 2010

D.G. Martin again has generously shared his radio time on WCHL (1360AM) with me. He did two more lengthy interviews about my book on Jim Hunt, which will be published in November.   The final part of the program airs tonight at 6 pm. (Another segment aired last night.)   Or you can listen on…

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…