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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Ducking a Political Fight?

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

  Up in Washington, DC the Democrats on the City Council have put the Democrats in Congress on the hot seat by passing a law to make gay marriage legal in our nation’s Capital.   Now how on earth does that affect, say, Congressman Bob Etheridge who’s running for reelection here in North Carolina?  …

Lanier Stumbles Again

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

  Over at DHHS High Lama and former lobbyist Lanier Cansler has promulgated a whole new set of rules governing folks who care for Medicaid patients.   For instance before a doctor can provide care to a Medicaid patient Lanier is going to check out his character, conduct, competence, criminal history, mental and physical health…

Mass Hysteria

By Gary Pearce January 20, 2010

The polls hadn’t even closed in Massachusetts when Democrats formed up the requisite firing squad to fix the blame.   In truth, there are three factors here.   1. Scott Brown had the greatest gift in politics: an inept and overconfident opponent. Did she really go on vacation in the Caribbean last month?   2.…

Obama Can’t Lose

By Gary Pearce January 19, 2010

Health-care reform may die in Massachusetts today, and Democrats across the country may panic, but a loss in the Senate race won’t be the death blow to the Obama Presidency that Republicans dream of.   In fact, Obama wins either way. A Democratic win in Massachusetts guarantees enactment of reform. A Republican win gives him…

Basnight’s Pier

By Carter Wrenn January 17, 2010

I figured ole’ Marc Basnight just loved fishing piers, so he passed a bill to build the grandest one you ever saw – with a ballroom and restaurant – in his district. But it looks like Senator Basnight had a more practical reason: Basnight Construction Company is building the $25 million pier.   Next explaining…

The Real Campaign

By Gary Pearce January 16, 2010

Nearly 50 years ago, Theodore White wrote a book, The Making of the President, that changed how campaigns are covered.   Now Mark Halperin and John Heilemann have revolutionized the genre again with Game Change – in a way that says a lot about today’s politics, communications and culture.   White told the inside story…

Quote of the Year, So Far

By Gary Pearce January 15, 2010

Governor Perdue this week at the ribbon-cutting for a “green” McDonald’s in Cary:   “I love McDonald’s. I eat here all the time, as you can see from my butt.”

A Defense of Janet Cowell

By Gary Pearce January 14, 2010

A reader says my blog about Governor Perdue and Treasurer Janet Cowell “is a misread.”    Here is the reader’s take on Cowell – and her battle with Perdue and DOT over Charlotte loop funding:   “She’s a straight shooter, Gary, as close to pure and simple as you’ll find at that level of political…

Council of State Headaches

By Gary Pearce January 13, 2010

You’d think Governor Perdue had enough problems with Republicans. But two of the biggest obstacles in her first year have been Democrats – Council of State members.   This is nothing new. All Governors get to where they want to call a constitutional convention to abolish the Council of State.   The conflict is inherent…

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…