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 Real Skinny

By Gary Pearce July 7, 2008

Picking up The News & Observer now is like running into an old friend who has been ravaged by cancer. It’s thin and sickly feeling. The editors promise us a lean and focused newspaper. I don’t want a lean newspaper; I want a fat one. And I don’t want focus; I want to stumble onto…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 –…

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…

Stein’s Clout

By Gary Pearce March 6, 2026

Governor Josh Stein had a good day Tuesday, and there’s good news for him in our…