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.

CarterWrenn200x271

Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

Archives

Categories

Happy Fourth of July

By Gary Pearce July 3, 2008

I’m not much of an international-news buff. But something about the hellish descent of Zimbabwe has captured my interest for months now. Partly it’s the sheer horror of that nation’s fall into the abyss. Partly it’s the riddle of national liberator Robert Mugabe turned murderous tyrant. But it’s also about elections and politics. We complain…

Read More

Governor Flim-Flam

By Carter Wrenn July 3, 2008

I take back what I said yesterday about Mike Easley. There is nothing loveable about the governor. He’s the slickest con man since Harold Hill descended on River City or Flem Snopes rode out of the backwoods. First, he spends $269,000 on three trips to Italy, France and Russia – including $77,000 to rent Mercedes…

Read More

Exchanging White Hats for Black Hats

By Carter Wrenn July 3, 2008

It’s hard to find a problem in America Barack Obama can’t blame on a corporation. Public opinion has whip-lashed against big business so viciously it’s like some genie popped out of a bottle and turned back the hands of the clock to the Era of the Trustbusters. The corporations – the politicians say – are…

Read More

Echoes of 1998

By Gary Pearce July 3, 2008

This year’s presidential race reminds me of John Edwards’ Senate race 10 years ago. You have a fresh – but inexperienced – face (Edwards, Obama) running against an old – but experienced – face (McCain, Lauch Faircloth). As we did in Edwards’ campaign, Obama sees his chance in the public’s disgust for Washington and desire…

Read More

Satanic Verses

By Carter Wrenn July 2, 2008

I’ve been suspecting it for years and, now, my worst suspicions have been confirmed: The Democrats are holding Satanic rituals. Right here in North Carolina. Reported in the News and Observer (which no Republican should ever call biased again). This gives a whole new meaning to Democrats saying, Change We Can Believe In. Click here…

Read More

It’s the Little Things, Governor

By Gary Pearce July 2, 2008

Governor Easley may well be right that the trips he and First Lady Mary Easley took to Europe are worth it to North Carolina. But some dogs just won’t hunt when people are paying $4 a gallon for gas. Like: $27,000 for a round-the-clock chauffeured Mercedes-Benz $34,388 for five business-class plane tickets $800 a night…

Read More

Richard Moore’s Revenge

By Gary Pearce July 1, 2008

I’ve been puzzling over why Bev Perdue isn’t doing better in the polls. Now I have a theory: It’s Richard Moore’s fault. Last week I saw one poll that showed Perdue leading Pat McCrory by only two points. The same poll showed Barack Obama only two points behind John McCain in North Carolina. Both Obama…

Read More

Skip’s Gamble

By Carter Wrenn June 26, 2008

House Republican Leader ‘Skip’ Stam is turning thumbs down on North Carolina casting its electoral votes for the candidate for President who wins the popular vote – but it may turn out to be a political gamble that backfires. Last year – when Democrats put electing the President by popular vote on the table –…

Read More

Presidential Campaign Winners and Losers

By Gary Pearce June 25, 2008

Winner: Campaign Symbols Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are holding their Unity Rally in – no kidding – Unity, New Hampshire. Apparently they could not find a place called Change. And Bill Clinton owns the deed to a place called Hope. Loser: Edwards for Veep Elizabeth Edwards publicly questioned whether Obama should have opted out…

Read More

Does This Work?

By Gary Pearce February 23, 2025

Does a message about “workers,” “working families” and “working-class voters” really work for Democrats? Or does…

Read More

Out of Touch

By Gary Pearce February 20, 2025

I’ve resisted the temptation to rail every day about Trump’s cruelty, corruption and incompetence – and…

Read More

Jeanette Hyde

By Gary Pearce February 14, 2025

Jeanette Hyde went from Miss Yadkin County to Madam Ambassador. Hyde, who died Monday at age…

Read More