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.

CarterWrenn200x271

Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

Archives

Categories

The Parent Trap

By Gary Pearce January 21, 2010

By now, North Carolinians can be forgiven for denying paternity of everybody involved in the John Edwards affair.   Edwards surprised no one by finally admitting he’s the father. At least he beat ex-gofer Andrew Young’s book to the punch.   Edwards had the good sense to fess up in a written statement – and…

The Reverend Whacks the Chairman

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

One of the more dangerous varmints walking around on two legs is the good old-fashioned morally outraged Southern Demagogue and right now Reverend William Barber (head of the NAACP) fills the bill and he’s as mad as hell; the Reverend’s razor-tongued and ’fraid of nothing and he’s chomped down on school board Chairman Ron Margiotta…

Politics Perdue Style

By Carter Wrenn January 20, 2010

  Governor Perdue either has a new public relations guru or, suddenly, she’s started thinking in slogans because she’s firing them off rapid fire.   The other day down in Charlotte she let fly announcing her new education slogan: Ready. Set. Go.    Then she let loose on jobs chirruping our number one priority has…

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…

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…