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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Corporate America Under Fire

By Carter Wrenn April 30, 2008

Wachovia Bank just agreed to pay $144 million to settle a fraud case. (According to the newspapers it was alleged they allowed telemarketers to use Wachovia accounts to steal millions of dollars.) The bank did not plead guilty or admit guilt, which, in itself, is a commentary on our legal system. How can anyone agree…

Race Cards

By Gary Pearce April 30, 2008

Talk about being the center of the political universe. North Carolina was it Tuesday. Barack Obama’s press conference on Jeremiah Wright could turn out to be the pivotal event of the presidential campaign. Unfortunately, that event – and two others the same day – was all about the issue that forever taints our politics: race.…

Moore’s Klan Bomb

By Gary Pearce April 29, 2008

Richard Moore needs a bomb to blow up Bev Perdue’s lead. But the problem with a bomb is that it can go off in your hands. That appears to be what happened with his Ku Klux Klan ad. The ad was a reach to start with. When voters hear, in effect, that Perdue voted with…

Two Predictions

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2008

I’ll make two predictions about this election. One I’m sure about; the other, not so much. Not Sure: This could be a change election like 1960, 1968, 1980 or 1994 – with the impact felt for decades. Sure: The Democratic Party is growing increasingly anti-corporate. Only one thing can keep 2008 from being a watershed:…

You Can’t Have It Both Ways, Bev

By Carter Wrenn April 25, 2008

So much for Bev Perdue’s no more negative attacks pledge. She just called Richard Moore, Jesse Helms – which is about as mean a charge as you can lay on a fellow in a Democratic Primary. Then, in case anyone missed her point, she added Moore (who attacked for her for voting, twenty-years ago, against…

GOP Shows Its True Colors

By Gary Pearce April 24, 2008

That didn’t take long. The party of Lincoln jumped right into Jesse Helms-era race-baiting this week. And we found out just what a tough, strong, effective leader John McCain is. He can’t even get a state Republican Party to take down an ad. Or maybe his demand that the ad be pulled came with a…

Bev Survives

By Gary Pearce April 24, 2008

While the political world focused on Pennsylvania Tuesday, Bev Perdue’s supporters gave a sigh of relief. She survived the live TV debate with Richard Moore. Her campaign has gone to great lengths to minimize her unscripted appearances – in debates and with the media. Her handlers’ lack of confidence is palpable. Moore was surprisingly mild…

Obama, Race and Jeremiah Wright

By Carter Wrenn April 24, 2008

The NC GOP has an ad attacking Barack Obama, playing a videotape of Reverend Jeremiah Wright saying, “Goddamn America.” John McCain says he wants the ad pulled. Now. Because, ‘It’s degrading.’ And, no doubt, a lot of people will agree. Because the ad touches racial chords. So, a lot of people will want this debate…

But We’re Ready For Our Close-up

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2008

Pennsylvania is over – finally. I’m sick and tired of Chris Matthews telling me how smart “Eddie Rendell” is. So now North Carolina is the biggest state left. Bill Clinton is back today. Hillary and Barack are coming. The New York Times, the networks, the bigfeet and the bloggers are scoping us out for colorful…

Obama 48-Trump 39

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2026

A new nationwide poll shows that, if they could run against each other in 2028, Barack…

“Conservative Successes”?

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2026

Senator Phil Berger was out of touch with voters in his district – and suffered the…

Rise and Fall

By Gary Pearce April 21, 2026

A reassuring lesson from our trip to Germany and Czechia is that dictators, despots and tyrants…