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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Pushing the Envelope?

By Gary Pearce October 28, 2009

I’ve been quick to note lately that I supported Dennis Wicker in 2000.  I remember the arrogance of some – not all – of Mike Easley’s people after they won.   But I’ll say a word in their defense.   The News & Observer said: “Easley camp pushed donation law’s limits.”   News flash: So…

Easley Takes the Stand…

By Carter Wrenn October 27, 2009

Well, what went on in Raleigh yesterday in the State Board of Elections hearing was high political drama – the fireworks started right off when Easley buddy McQueen Campbell fessed up he’d paid for $11,000 in repairs on Easley’s house in Raleigh, then sent Easley’s campaign a fake bill for the $11,000 – which the…

Small Change, Big Cost

By Gary Pearce October 27, 2009

Mike Easley was always described as quirky, but charming. Part of the charm was his reputation as a cheapskate.   That was a good quality for a governor in a budget crisis. Now, not so good.   Now he’s charged with flimflamming his campaign into paying $11,000 for home repairs. And maybe pocketing the insurance…

I’ve Waited Thirty Years For This…

By Carter Wrenn October 26, 2009

I worked with Jesse Helms so over the years I grew accustomed to looking at polls where politicians had high ‘Unfavorable’ ratings. But I’ve never seen a politician in North Carolina with an ‘Unfavorable’ rating of 49.8% except once (in a poll for Helms) when for some long since forgotten reason we tested Fidel Castro’s…

Debating the Easley Hearings

By Gary Pearce October 26, 2009

Jane said it’s good the Board of Elections is digging into “pay for play” politics.   Joe said it’s much ado about minor campaign reporting violations.   Jane said we’re lucky to have The News & Observer.   Joe said it’s a vendetta by John Drescher.   Jane said the combination of big-time appointments, free…

The Hunt Library

By Gary Pearce October 23, 2009

Today is one of those days I’m glad I’m in politics.   I went to the groundbreaking for the James B. Hunt, Jr. Library on the Centennial Campus at N.C.State.   There were tributes to Hunt and his contributions to North Carolina – especially for giving NCSU the land that become the Centennial Campus.  …

Paroling Murderers

By Carter Wrenn October 23, 2009

Over in Beijing Governor Perdue’s taking a break from her stressful junket to China to teleconference with reporters back home and say it’s just awful, terrible and cruel and her feathers are all ruffled because twenty murderers are about to be released due to a strange law passed 25 years ago.   Now, stop a…

T-Shirts

By Carter Wrenn October 22, 2009

If you’ve bought the line there’s a budget crisis in state government – here’s proof you may have been sold a bill of goods.   The State Department of Agriculture ordered 9,000 camel-colored t-shirts to give away at the state fair – for $18,000.   You might ask – why did the state need to…

Worse than a Mistake

By Carter Wrenn October 22, 2009

A few days ago American Spectator published a story about fireworks erupting in a caucus of Republican Congressmen when conservatives asked Representative Pete Sessions, head of the National Republican Campaign Committee, why on earth he was pouring half a million in cash into liberal Republican ACORN supported (in the last three elections) candidate Deidre Scozzafava’s…

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…

Faith in Politics

By Gary Pearce March 10, 2026

Jim Hunt would like James Talarico winning the Democratic primary in Texas. Like Talarico, the late…