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 Man Who Isn’t There

By Gary Pearce October 3, 2007

Republicans aren’t happy with their presidential candidates. Thompson’s too lazy, McCain’s too old and flaky, Romney’s too Mormon and Giuliani’s too liberal and loony. But the perfect candidate (in theory) actually exists. Unfortunately, he ran into a little trouble on the way to the race. He’s George Allen, the former Senator from Virginia. Allen was…

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Dissing the Voters

By Gary Pearce October 3, 2007

Republican presidential candidates are dissing any voters who are black, brown or – to the uptight candidates – a bit offbeat. Democratic candidates are dissing any voters from Florida. The Republicans – at least the Big Four – won’t go to any debate aimed at any special audience. Unless that audience is watching Fox News.…

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You Can’t Keep a Secret

By Gary Pearce October 2, 2007

The highly respected consulting firm McKinsey & Co. – and the much-maligned North Carolina Department of Transportation – are both living in a dream world. They are under the delusion they can spend $3.6 million of the people’s money on an assessment of the department, then keep it secret. Not only keep the report secret,…

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John Edwards Finds a Principle

By Carter Wrenn October 2, 2007

John Edwards said last February he would not take public financing for his campaign. Now, lagging Obama and Hillary in fundraising (he’s raised $23 million to their $50 plus million each) he’s reversed himself. He needs the money. So he’s taking it. Nothing really wrong with that except how Edwards gilded the lily, bragging on…

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Rough Waters for Hillary

By Gary Pearce October 2, 2007

The Main Media just finished anointing Hillary as the front-runner. Now they’re attacking her for running as the front-runner. I predicted it in a blog last week, where I compared reporters to birds flitting from wire to wire. So now Hillary is excoriated for debate temporizing, cautious positioning and even her way of laughing. The…

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Edwards Scores?

By Carter Wrenn October 1, 2007

Two strange things happened during the Democratic debate at Dartmouth College the other night. First, everyone of the major Democratic candidates (who have been harking about getting out of Iraq) said they couldn’t guarantee they’d bring the troops home by 2013 – at the end of their first term. So, the Democrats may leave troops…

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Aiming at Liddy

By Gary Pearce October 1, 2007

Some Democrats worry that no big name is challenging Senator Dole. Don’t despair. The field has narrowed to Kay Hagan and Grier Martin. Both would be good candidates, and both are looking hard at the race. First, they’re looking at is money. Dole says she’ll raise $20 million for her reelection. That’s just bluster. Still,…

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Upside Down

By Carter Wrenn October 1, 2007

As the British army surrendered at Yorktown its band played a little ditty called “The World Turned Upside Down.” I felt a little like that when I read the News and Observer interview with the City Council candidates in District A. There are two candidates. Incumbent Tommy Craven – a conservative Republican. And Nancy McFarlane…

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Pretty Downtown versus Capital Boulevard

By Carter Wrenn September 28, 2007

Figure this: On any given day you can run into traffic snarls on Glenwood Avenue, Capital Boulevard or Wade Avenue. Real snarls. Real traffic problems. But, instead of solving those real traffic problems Meeker, Stephenson, Crowder and Company – the three Amigos on the City Council – are getting ready to spend $6 million on…

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Anything Goes…

By Carter Wrenn February 26, 2025

Back when Rod Blagojevich ran for governor of Illinois, Obama endorsed him and Trump gave his…

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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…

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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…

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