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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Race and Jimmy Carter

By Gary Pearce October 13, 2009

  The comic strip Mallard Fillmore – as well as Democrats and Republicans alike – is still beating up on poor Jimmy Carter for speaking the truth about race and President Obama’s critics.   Even Bill Clinton piled on. But he’s never been a Carter fan,   Carter overstated the case, as he often does.…

Perdue’s Polls

By Gary Pearce October 12, 2009

Governor Perdue’s team is working to counter the drumbeat of bad poll numbers.   They make some good points:   Yes, her numbers are low. But so are those of Senators Burr and Hagan. North Carolina has had the worst one-two punch in the country – high unemployment and the budget crisis. Perdue is paying…

Norwegians for Obama

By Carter Wrenn October 9, 2009

It’s hard to fault President Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize – after all, he was the first to admit he was as surprised as anyone and, beyond that, he’s giving the money to charity. In the end what else could he do but smile and say, Thank you, politely.   There’s also no…

Bad Move, Bad Excuse

By Gary Pearce October 8, 2009

This is why Governor Perdue has problems.   She is one of six Democratic governors who didn’t sign a letter supporting health-care reform.   That makes Democrats mad.   But her spokesperson says Perdue agrees with the points made in the letter:   “She did not sign it, but wants to make it clear that…

The Beltline Divide

By Gary Pearce October 7, 2009

Inside the Beltline may be the place to live. But it wasn’t the place to be in Tuesday’s elections.   One new school board member summed it up after Charles Meeker, Jim Goodmon and other prominent people spoke out for the diversity policy:   “Do you know who cares about those people? People inside the…

Flimsy Perdue

By Carter Wrenn October 7, 2009

Here’s one reason Bev Perdue has collapsed in the polls: Today’s headline in the News and Observer reads – Perdue Too Busy on Trip to Back Health Reform.   The Governor told the press she was too busy on a trip to New York to join other Democratic Governors in signing a letter to support…

The Politics of Resentment

By Gary Pearce October 6, 2009

Sometimes I hate to be right. Like on the Wake County school board races.   But you could see it coming.   Even supporters say the present board has been arrogant and high-handed.   Exhibit A: One diversity supporter explained the election by saying, “It’s the result of people not knowing what the issues are.”…

Ethics or Taxes

By Gary Pearce October 5, 2009

Tom Campbell at NC Spin has an interesting alternative to my Perdue Comeback Plan.   I suggested she gamble on tax reform. Tom suggests ethics reform.   He’s right. She should. But I doubt that gets her far enough.  Cynical voters will never believe the stable has been cleaned up. For good reason. Pass a…

Republican Reason

By Gary Pearce October 5, 2009

News flash: There are sane Republicans!   Tommy Thompson, Bill Frist and Michael Bloomberg (sort of a Republican) all say they like the health-care bill emerging in the Senate.   Of course, none of them can vote there.   If they did, the GOP Jacobins would take their heads off.   Why is Can Obama…

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…