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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Politics and Evolution

By Carter Wrenn December 8, 2009

There’s an old folk tale about a group of Confederate soldiers sitting around a campfire during the winter of 1862-63 arguing about Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.   A British war correspondent – arguing in favor of evolution – waxed eloquent then resting his case leaned back on his elbows, and one of the Confederates…

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Cal on Camera

By Gary Pearce December 8, 2009

Cal Cunningham looked unsteady before he got into the game. But his first play was strong.   Based on his start, I rate him the favorite in the primary – and, on today’s market, the strongest potential challenger to Burr.   Cunningham announced with a four-minute video. He looked good, and he sounded strong. He…

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Politics – Montana Style

By Carter Wrenn December 7, 2009

I figured brazenly appointing your wife to a top-paying government job (or swapping a political appointment for a deal on a beach front lot) was a temptation our local Democrats couldn’t resist because after two decades in power they’d lost their humility.   But, yesterday, I read Montana’s Democratic Senator has succumbed to temptation too…

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The Rescue of Mike Easley?

By Carter Wrenn December 7, 2009

  I reckon U.S. Attorney George Holding has done more to fight corruption than just about anyone in North Carolina except News & Observer Editor John Drescher. But, now, it looks like Holding’s days are numbered.   There’re three Federal Judges and three U.S. Attorneys for President Obama to appoint in North Carolina – want…

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Schoolyard Bullies

By Gary Pearce December 7, 2009

All the nice, well-intentioned people who support diversity in the Wake schools better wake up and realize they’re in a war.   Many of them eschewed Democratic Party help in the election. We’re non-partisan, they said.   Well, the other side had no qualms about enlisting the Republican Party on its side.   So now…

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The Scarlet Pimpernel

By Carter Wrenn December 4, 2009

Once I asked a friend what he thought of a prominent South Carolina politician and he laughed and said, Well, you know what they say about LeRoy – he hasn’t met a principle since high school.   Back when she was running for Governor, Beverly Perdue promised liberals and environmentalists there was never, ever, ever…

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Off With Their Heads!

By Gary Pearce December 4, 2009

The new majority took over the Wake County school board like the Jacobins took over Paris.   Replacing a board that was seen as high-handed and arrogant, they set new standards for high-handed and arrogant.   One step got little attention. The board hired a Republican lawyer. Unclear is whether they fired Tharrington and Smith,…

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Cruel and Unusual Punishment

By Carter Wrenn December 3, 2009

Democrats have no pity.   No sooner did unemployment hit double digits than Mayor Meeker and Raleigh’s City Manager and Meeker’s allies on the City Council announced a plan to raise property taxes.   Think of it: Right now almost everyone in Raleigh is paying taxes on overvalued homes and the Mayor and company are…

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I Stand Corrected

By Gary Pearce December 3, 2009

News & Observer Executive Editor John Drescher doesn’t miss much. Within minutes of my post below about the N&O’s 25-year club, he shot me this email:   Gary, There are far more long-timers here than you give us credit for. Of the people in the 25-year club, 15 are in the newsroom: Tudor, Christensen, Stevens, Siceloff,…

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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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