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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New York, New York

By Gary Pearce August 17, 2007

It’s been 60 years since both parties nominated New Yorkers for President (FDR vs. Dewey). But today, New Yorkers lead the race for both parties (Clinton vs. Giuliani). I already hear the quibbling that Hillary’s no New Yorker. My position is, if they elected her to the Senate twice, she’s a New Yorker. In fact,…

He Should Know

By Gary Pearce August 16, 2007

Here’s a winner in the Lack of Self-Awareness Contest: Disgraced DA Mike Nifong, forced to give up his law license, complained about the unfairness of the legal system. Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles

Out of Iraq? Not so much.

By Gary Pearce August 15, 2007

Wait ‘til the blogroots get this. The New York Times says: “Even as they call for an end to the war and pledge to bring the troops home, the Democratic presidential candidates are setting out positions that could leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years.” The Times said all three top candidates –…

“I Can Win.” A Winning Strategy?

By Gary Pearce August 13, 2007

John Edwards might well be the Democratic Party’s strongest candidate against any Republican in 2008. But he can’t make that argument. Some Republican strategists say Edwards is their perfect nightmare: a smart, articulate Southerner who taps into voters’ anger against Bush, overzealous right-wingers and overreaching corporations. But this Edwards strategy dares not speak its name.…

Wiretaps

By Carter Wrenn August 13, 2007

There’s been a big flap in Washington about wiretaps. The Bush Administration wants to listen in on ‘foreign communications’ it suspects may be tied to terrorism without court orders (The New York Times, 8-4-07). That sounded reasonable even to a fair amount of Democrats (who voted for it). But a lot didn’t and the usual…

The Next Political Tidal Wave?

By Carter Wrenn August 13, 2007

The Democrats in Washington are thinking long term and they may have found an issue they can ride to victory after they’ve finished milking the war in Iraq. They’re moving to pass retaliatory trade legislation against China. For years, free trade has been a sacred cow for both Democrats and Republicans. No one seemed to…

Unions and Realtors

By Carter Wrenn August 10, 2007

To get the debate on the so-called ‘Transfer Tax’ out of the backrooms of the legislature and into public domain – so voters would know about the new tax on homes – the Realtors Association ran TV ads. They got Governor Easley so stirred up he let fly and told legislators they had to decide…

Tony ‘the Fixer’ Strikes Again

By Carter Wrenn August 10, 2007

While John Edwards and Hillary and Barack Obama are running around the nation deploring the greed of corporate CEOs, North Carolina State Senate kingpin Tony ‘The Fixer’ Rand is helping the CEOs. At the end of the legislative session Senator Rand slipped through a bill to give Goodyear Tire and Rubber $40 million in “incentives”…

Jim Hunt’s Gift to Mike Easley

By Gary Pearce August 10, 2007

Governor Easley’s spokesman said the Governor plans to spend this month reading all the bills enacted by this year’s legislature and deciding whether to sign them or veto them. For which he can thank my old boss Jim Hunt. Jim Hunt first took office as Governor 30 years ago this year – in 1977. Back…

“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…

Rolling Down the Elbe

By Gary Pearce April 19, 2026

Gwyn and I just returned from a 12-day journey through 1,000 years of history in Germany…