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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Obama Dancing the Two-Step

By Carter Wrenn February 11, 2009

Well, Gary gave President Obama rave reviews about Monday night’s press conference. I had a different – and apparently partisan – reaction. There was a time, not so long ago, when Obama talked a language that sounded a lot like plain everyday English but now, well, he’s taken to talking political-ese. High quality political-ese but…

Who Cares What Wall Street Thinks?

By Gary Pearce February 11, 2009

So Wall Street wasn’t happy with Obama’s bank-rescue plan. As one of my breakfast pals pointed out: “Didn’t Wall Street get us into this mess? Who are they to complain that the rescuers aren’t doing enough to save them from themselves?” The real question is what the American people think. Public Policy Polling found that…

Obama in the Minefield

By Carter Wrenn February 10, 2009

Well, it’s like déjà vu all over again. A Democratic congressman stands up, looks the president in the eye and says, I’m not for sending any more troops to fight until I see an exit plan. Only, this time, the president he’s looking in the eye is Obama and the war’s in Afghanistan, not Iraq.…

The Great Grab

By Carter Wrenn February 10, 2009

President Obama spent a lot of time last election railing against lobbyists. He said when he was elected he was going to tie them in knots. Curtail their mischief. Send them into political exile. But three months later, more than ever, government in Washington is about ‘the great grab.’ Lobbyists for special interests are lined…

Obama’s Bully Pulpit

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2009

President Obama demonstrated anew last night why he’s a political force not to be underestimated. Congressional Republicans need to reassess picking a fight with a President who is smart, articulate (and clean, as Joe Biden would say). Not to mention one who has the biggest microphone in the world. Obama made his reputation as an…

Bev’s Bad Trip

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2009

Most employers would look askance on a new employee who takes a week-long vacation after being on the job just over a month. So Governor Perdue is trying the good nature of North Carolina taxpayers this week. She has good arguments: She has been working hard. She’s off to a good start, most observers agree.…

Modern Times

By Carter Wrenn February 9, 2009

Tough times call for stern measures and in Manhattan they’re up to the task. To cope with the economic crash a group of young women – girlfriends and spouses of Wall Street wunderkind – have formed a unique support group, Dating a Banker Anonymous. The young women meet to share fellowship and condolences over brunch…

The Way of All Flesh

By Carter Wrenn February 9, 2009

In just a fortnight Obama’s gone from “Yes, we can” to “I screwed up.” Tackling the labyrinth of imperial government – with its legions of lobbyists, special interests and hard-bitten politicians – in Washington has turned out to be a tough nut to crack. In two weeks the best and brightest among us – at…

Bumpy Takeoff for Air Obama

By Gary Pearce February 9, 2009

Face it, Obamaniacs. The Man has had a rough start. Kind of like Flight 1549, he ran into some turkeys on takeoff. Some of the turkeys were Republicans. Some were Democrats in Congress. And some were in his own administration. But buck up. At several key points in the campaign, Obama seemed about to stall…

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…