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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What’s Up? Obama!

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2010

Every day I read how badly things are going for President Obama.   Democrats and Republicans, the mainstream media and the bloggers all alike trash him, his staff, his health care strategy, his jobs plan, his position on the banks, on and on.   Then I read a poll – commissioned by the Civitas Institute,…

Read Her Hand

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2010

Sarah Palin is an unending source of entertainment. She’s nearly as funny as Tina Fey’s impression of her.   There’s the scrambled syntax – a sure sign of a scrambled mind. The brassy denial of reality. Reading a speech ridiculing President Obama for reading a speech. Attacking the bailout that she and John McCain supported…

The Fox

By Carter Wrenn February 9, 2010

  The legislature handed Lanier Cansler $200 million more to spend this year than last year and he promptly spent it all plus $250 million more – so, now, his department’s in the red and he’s pointing fingers at everyone in sight saying it’s their fault: The Obama Administration, the flu, the recession.    …

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…

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…