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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No Bid Contract Backfires

By Carter Wrenn December 21, 2009

Secretary Lanier Cansler’s gone and landed Governor Perdue in the soup again with one of his no bid contracts.   This time Cansler got caught by WRAL giving a $30 million contract to a company that’s only been in existence two months and whose owners – Ramzi Abulhaj and Rich Admani – got sued in…

Putting the Fun back in Politics

By Carter Wrenn December 21, 2009

The cat is out of the bag – Bernie Reeves may run for Congress against Brad Miller.   Bernie, who publishes Metro Magazine, is a sort of irrepressible force of nature – brash, charming, outspoken and not at all impressed with a single politician walking around on two feet. I’d buy a ticket to watch…

Perdue and the Courts

By Gary Pearce December 21, 2009

Editorial writers, defense lawyers and letter-writers claimed that Governor Perdue was defying the courts and the “rule of law” in the life-doesn’t-mean-life brouhaha.   But now one judge has agreed with her – and the Supreme Court has decided to review the matter.   In truth, her critics’ rhetoric was just as overheated as the…

Kissell’s Bad Bet

By Gary Pearce December 21, 2009

The Washington Post had a story Sunday about how Larry Kissell’s vote against health care reform – and President Obama – has angered passionate Democrats who elected Obama and Kissell.   The story concludes with a quote from me about Kissell:  “That’s why they call them freshmen — because they make freshman mistakes. That’s why…

Penny Stock

By Carter Wrenn December 18, 2009

It looks like – from the newspaper – Democratic Senate Leader Tony Rand had a scheme to turn 140,000 shares of ‘penny stock’ he owned in Law Enforcement Associates (where Rand serves as Chairman of the Board) into a windfall.   First, it seems, Rand tipped (or otherwise persuaded) a few of his political friends…

Humble Cal

By Carter Wrenn December 18, 2009

Poor Cal Cunningham; the young man has had so much ‘humbling’ lately if he wasn’t a politician he might be facing the possibility of sainthood.   First, before he announced he was running for Senate, he said he’d been ‘humbled’ by how many folks wanted him to run. Then, after he declared he was running,…

A Ray of Sunshine

By Gary Pearce December 18, 2009

These have been dark and stormy days for Democrats.   Every day, the headlines bring more gloom. Ruffin Poole takes the Fifth. Mike Easley hires Joe Cheshire. Tony Rand is accused of insider trading. Marc Basnight is forced to defend his political and physical health. Bev Perdue’s ratings are low. R.C. Soles faces trouble. David…

Kill the Bill

By Gary Pearce December 17, 2009

My friend and New Media guru Matt Gross argues that President Obama is wrong to keep pushing health-care reform up the steep Senate hill.   Instead, Gross says, Obama should kill the bill, blame the Republicans and go to war over the public-option issue in the 2010 elections.    The White House is hostage to…

Don’t Drain the Swamp

By Carter Wrenn December 17, 2009

There was a pretty glowing report in the paper Wednesday about the Copenhagen Summit, saying just about everyone’s agreed to compensate poor countries for preserving forests and swamps. (Just think, once, not too long ago draining a swamp was a virtue).   It seems the big hurdle standing in the way of an agreement was…

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…