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 Golden Rule

By Gary Pearce February 9, 2010

Last fall’s Wake County school board elections followed The Golden Rule of Politics: Them that has the gold rules.   Bob Luddy and Art Pope – two of the biggest opponents of public schools – were the biggest contributors to school board candidates.   Their side, according to The News & Observer, outspent the other…

$6,700 Each

By Carter Wrenn February 8, 2010

Last week a chill just stole out of the State Board of Elections and settled over the Republicans in the State House – Democrat Leader Joe Hackney filed his campaign’s financial report.  And he has a healthy $418,000 in the bank – while Republican Leader Skip Stam has just $13,000.   Representative Stam made the…

Governor Perdue on (Mis)Management

By Carter Wrenn February 8, 2010

I have stumbled across a state agency that’s more mismanaged than Lanier Cansler’s.   The Virtual Public Schools agency is (theoretically) leading North Carolina into the New Age of Internet education; students in rural areas will be taught in ‘Virtual Classrooms’ where they can learn anything from Chinese to Sanskrit – it’s technological innovation at…

Election 2010

By Gary Pearce February 8, 2010

Republicans have reason to be confident as filing opens for the 2010 elections. But I’m yet to be convinced this will be another 1994.   That year, Democrats – in Raleigh and Washington – were supremely overconfident, all the way to Election Day.   Not a problem this time.   Still, the cycle favors Republicans.…

Just Say No

By Gary Pearce February 5, 2010

It’s the one thing you can count on in politicians: hubris.   Exhibit A: John Edwards.   Exhibit B may be the newly reenergized Republicans in Congress.   They’ve gone gaga over Scott Brown – and their new-found ability to block anything President Obama wants. They’re convinced the November elections will be a rerun of…

Mystery Solved

By Gary Pearce February 4, 2010

Now we know why Mike Easley was so, well, weird. He wasn’t just Governor. He was Secret Agent Man.   Instead of a number like 007, he had a nom de guerre: Ckin Regnad.   This explains the need to keep his whereabouts secret and constantly change his schedule. It’s why he had to conduct…

You Couldn’t Make This Up…

By Carter Wrenn February 4, 2010

20/20’s story the other night about John Edwards and mistress Rielle Hunter was brutal; after watching Edwards die the death of a thousand cuts I thought, This fellow needs a break and if he doesn’t get one this may end more badly than anyone’s imagined.   You couldn’t make up what’s happened to Edwards:  Sitting…

Democrats Reforming Again

By Carter Wrenn February 4, 2010

The pictures of young Ruffin Poole being led into the federal courthouse hand-cuffed has sent Democrats into a frenzy to pass another round of Ethics Reforms – and it’s like ‘déjà vu’ all over again.   After every scandal (from Jim Black fixing the Lottery Commission to Mike Easley’s wife getting a $170,000 a year…

A Titanic Issue

By Gary Pearce February 3, 2010

People who care about North Carolina’s economy are closely watching Governor Perdue on an issue that will say a lot about her leadership.   It’s the proposed Titan concrete plant near Wilmington.   Fans say Titan, based in Greece, is one of the best companies in the world, ranking high on corporate accountability, environmental responsibility…

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…