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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Wrong Wray

By Gary Pearce December 9, 2025

Former state Rep. Michael Wray has an odd way of running in a Democratic primary. He posted on Facebook, “Are you a Republican that (sic) wants to vote for Michael Wray?” Here’s how, he said: “You can temporarily change your party affiliation to UNAFFILIATED, but you must do so BEFORE FEBRUARY 6TH. If you make…

Two Bags of Cash

By Carter Wrenn December 8, 2025

It’s hard to tell how much of this is truth and how much is fiction but here’s the tale: A team of undercover FBI agents out to jail grifters bribing politicians to make money got a tip: Talk to Tom Homan – he can get you ICE contracts if Trump wins. Undercover agents taped Homan…

Give ‘em Hell, Harry

By Gary Pearce December 7, 2025

A reader recalled what Harry Truman said about Richard Nixon: “He not only doesn’t give a damn about the people; he doesn’t know how to tell the truth. I don’t think the son of a bitch knows the difference between the truth and lying.” What would Harry say about Trump?

A Deadly Cloud

By Carter Wrenn December 3, 2025

There’s a cloud over Trump’s head – most people don’t like how he’s doing his job (the Gallup Poll). Democrats have loathed him for years but now so do Independents. Republicans still love him but their love’s getting thinner. Pundits tell us that’s happening because he blundered when it comes to handling issues – like…

Two Stories and a Warning

By Carter Wrenn December 1, 2025

Like hard times, history repeats itself. Boisterous, ruthless, sure he was marching down the road to destiny, Adolf Hitler got a surprise: Neville Chamberlain wanted to come see him. Dapper, thin face, smugness hiding an insecure heart, Chamberlain flew to Germany. Sitting in Hitler’s paneled study in the Bavarian mountains laid a deal on the…

Fatal Folly

By Gary Pearce November 29, 2025

The National Guard members who were shot in Washington came from West Virginia. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (photo) died; she was just 20. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe is fighting for life; he is 24. President Trump sent their unit to D.C. to fight crime, he claimed – but, really, to score political points. The…

Roadkill?

By Gary Pearce November 28, 2025

I didn’t know what to tell this prospective candidate. They (I use “they” to protect the innocent) want to run as Unaffiliated in a heavily gerrymandered Republican district. And they wanted my advice. Why run Unaffiliated? “Because a Democrat doesn’t stand a chance, and voters deserve a choice.” Much as I admire that, I wasn’t…

An Old Warning

By Carter Wrenn November 26, 2025

Conor sat down. “A poll in the newspaper says Republicans are 14 points behind Democrats – is that true?” He was asking about the generic ballot question in the poll. Both modern and old-fashioned, after law school Conor returned to his small town, practiced law with his father. Like his father, grandfather, great-grandfather he’s a…

Trump + Mamdani

By Gary Pearce November 24, 2025

The last time a “fascist” and a “communist” were this chummy, they divided up Poland. This time, President Trump and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shook up politics. Trump had called Mamdani a “communist lunatic.” The mayor-to-be had called the President a “fascist” and “despot.” But love was in bloom when the two met Friday.…

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…