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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Independent Minds

By Gary Pearce April 30, 2010

Here are the numbers that should scare North Carolina Democrats: 1.4 million and 47-18.   The 1.4 million is the number of voters registered unaffiliated. That’s nearly a fourth of the state’s 6.1 million registered votes.   And 47-18 is how much those independent voters favor Republicans over Democrats in legislative races this year, according…

Silly Season

By Gary Pearce April 29, 2010

At last the Democratic Senate primary gets ugly.   Usually the negatives start flying long before the final week. And it’s always the same scenario: A lagging candidate decides – or gets persuaded – to lash out at the leaders.   So it is with Ken Lewis.   He has a radio ad attacking Cal…

High Anxiety

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2010

Three headlines capture three scenarios in the Democratic Senate primary:   “Marshall looks for another statewide win in Senate primary.” (From WRAL, whose poll has her leading.)   “Dem Senate primary in North Carolina could be headed to runoff.” (From The Hill in Washington.)   “Poll: Cunningham Closes the Gap in North Carolina.” (From Congressional…

Pachyderms and Feuds

By Carter Wrenn April 28, 2010

The other day there was a minor eruption in the press when a group of Republicans got mad at former Republican Co-Speaker of the House Richard Morgan for criticizing Governor Perdue and Cabinet Secretary Lanier Cansler for passing out no bid contracts. Now if that seems unusual it took the Governor (who laughed and told…

Landing in an Odd Place

By Carter Wrenn April 27, 2010

There’s a political war going on in the Republican Primary for State House down in Jacksonville. Martin Aragona, a former County Commissioner, is running as is Phil Shepard who, it turns out, is supported by the local leaders of the Perdue-Easley political machine (including a former Easley Highway Commissioner). At their first debate Aragona asked…

Renee Ellmers

By Carter Wrenn April 27, 2010

One Week to Go

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2010

The money-starved Democratic U.S. Senate primary limps to a finish next Tuesday – with a runoff possible and Richard Burr sitting on $5 million for the fall.   Elaine Marshall’s campaign promises a healthy TV buy this week. They hope it will check Cal Cunningham’s comparative blitz of ads.   Her campaign even talks hopefully…

Reeves versus Miller

By Carter Wrenn April 23, 2010

It’s no secret I’ve been supporting my old friend Bernie Reeves in his race against Congressman Brad Miller. Here’s Bernie’s ad:

Bev’s Numbers

By Gary Pearce April 22, 2010

Let’s look at two sets of numbers important to Governor Perdue: her budget and her polls.   Her proposed budget is a solid response to a stinky mess. She spread around the pain. And she still made important investments in economic development, education and human services.   She deserves credit for keeping the state on…

Political Shots Fired

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2026

The political sniping began even as chaos still reigned at the White House Correspondents Dinner. My…

Obama 48-Trump 39

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2026

A new nationwide poll shows that, if they could run against each other in 2028, Barack…

“Conservative Successes”?

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2026

Senator Phil Berger was out of touch with voters in his district – and suffered the…