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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The Mysterious East

By Gary Pearce October 16, 2009

Thirty years before Governor Perdue’s trip to Asia, I went with Governor Hunt on the first trip by a North Carolina governor to China.   That was not long after the fall of the Gang of Four. We saw “Democracy Wall” in Beijing where people could post and read news.   But censorship was still…

How Government Works: No Bid Contracts

By Carter Wrenn October 15, 2009

Last January Governor Perdue decided to climb out on a limb and appointed a health care lobbyist, Lanier Cansler, head of state health care programs.   Of course, Secretary Cansler came into office with a welter of conflicts of interest. His old clients – like the Nursing Home Association – do business with his department.…

A Real Peace Prize

By Gary Pearce October 15, 2009

It’s scary when Carter and I agree. But he’s right about Afghanistan (see his blog below).   President Obama can start earning that Nobel Prize by vetoing General McChrystal’s request for 40,000 more soldiers.   History teaches us to respect the courage of American military men and women.  The supposed genius of generals – not…

Go East

By Gary Pearce October 15, 2009

Governor Perdue is getting some criticism for going to China and Japan during a budget crisis.   The criticism is short-sighted.   In a global economy – especially in these economic times – a governor needs to be going around the world selling the state.   Mike Easley was criticized for not doing enough selling.…

Too Good to be True?

By Carter Wrenn October 14, 2009

We Republicans are dreaming the Grand Political Gift is about to fall into our laps – at last an election is at hand where the national political tides are flowing deep and strong in our favor.   The odd thing about it is it took electing Democrats to about every office in Washington – to…

Fox Baiting

By Gary Pearce October 14, 2009

Even liberal pundits criticize the Obama White House for dissing Fox News. They say the President and his team should deal with anybody – even the devil.   I disagree.   In politics, it helps to have the right enemy. Fox is the perfect enemy for Obama.   By spotlighting Fox as the opposition, he…

Dance Party

By Gary Pearce October 14, 2009

A Raleigh wag suggests the perfect PR move for John Edwards:   “Dancing With the Stars.”

Here’s How Government Works

By Carter Wrenn October 13, 2009

Money’s tight the Democrats in Raleigh say, so the state’s flailing away to cut health care costs – it’s slashing home care, nursing home care and hospitals. But one group is safe. North Carolina Medicaid spends $1 billion a year on prescription drugs. But North Carolina is one of six states without a Medicaid ‘Preferred…

How Government Works – 1,300 Oxycodone Pills

By Carter Wrenn October 13, 2009

  Here’s a factoid: Because of the so-called budget ‘crisis’ Governor Perdue’s cutting health care spending on home care for the elderly, people in Nursing Homes and children on Medicaid – at the same time, up in Washington the Government Accountability Office reports eliminating prescription drug fraud would save $63 million “in North Carolina and…

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…