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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Why Shouldn’t Congress Vote Now on the War?

By Carter Wrenn January 19, 2007

The Democratic leaders in Congress – such as Speaker Pelosi – made it clear during the election they believe President Bush is sacrificing the lives of young men in Iraq for no good purpose. So it comes as a shock when President Bush asserted he can send more troops to Iraq without Congress’ approval, by…

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Governor Easley’s Windfall

By Carter Wrenn January 19, 2007

A year ago, Governor Easley’s critics called his purchase of a lot near the beach in Carteret County a “sweetheart deal.” The press also reported Governor “Easley’s broker, the project’s developer and the man who helped finance the development are all friends and contributors whom the Governor had appointed to high-profile state boards. One appointment…

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A Polling Report: The Republican Race for Governor

By Carter Wrenn January 18, 2007

Over the last year, Salisbury Attorney Bill Graham, who has never run for public office, has spent a million dollars of his own money on television ads to build a foundation for his campaign for Governor. According to a recent poll he has been successful. He now leads in the Republican primary: Bill Graham 24%…

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Donald Trump’s Ulterior Motive?

By Carter Wrenn January 18, 2007

There may be cause to celebrate. It seems, according to one TV critic, Donald Trump has had an ulterior motive for his knock-down, drag-out, cat-fight with Barbara Walters (he says she lied) and Rosie O’Donnell (he says she’s an idiot). According to the TV analyst, Trump has been cleverly reaping a media windfall to pump-up…

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John Edwards, Barack Obama and Hillary’s ‘PR’ Machine

By Carter Wrenn January 17, 2007

A year ago it appeared, with any luck, John Edwards’ drive for the White House would die a quick death. Today, Edwards’ fortunes soaring. What happened? Edwards was on Jay Leno the other night and, I have a feeling, he’s stolen a page from Barack Obama’s play book. Obama is an unusual politician. Because of…

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Meeker’s Bumpy New Year

By Gary Pearce January 17, 2007

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker hasn’t started the new year with a bang. First there were stories about mounting costs at the Civic Center. Then his partisans got into an ill-advised overreaction to a newspaper column. And now he can’t get the Council to approve his Hillsborough Street roundabout plan. For better or worse, the Mayor…

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From the Halls of Montezuma to the Kasbahs of Baghdad

By Carter Wrenn January 16, 2007

The powers that be have given our Marines in Iraq a new “counter-insurgency manual.” One of the greatest fighting forces on earth is about to start wooing civilians, “learning social networks, building personal relationships and creating jobs” – for Iraqi’s. (News and Observer; 1-9-07). The Marines may never be the same. The new plan –…

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Making War on Ideology

By Gary Pearce January 15, 2007

President Bush said on “60 Minutes” Sunday night that Americans must understand “we’re in an ideological struggle.” That’s precisely the problem, Mr. President. We understand that. We Americans will fight a war for our national interests and survival. That’s why we fought the Nazis and the Japanese. That’s why we fought the Cold War. That’s…

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Relatives Assault Lower Caste Husband

By Carter Wrenn January 12, 2007

In Pakistan “outraged in-laws slashed the nose and ears of a college student who married a woman without the consent of her higher caste family, and then fractured his legs with blows from an ax.” (News and Observer; 1-4-07) The newspapers report thirty male relatives of Mohammed Iqbal’s wife ‘stormed into his mother’s village home,…

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Education Governor

By Gary Pearce March 13, 2025

With a better General Assembly, Josh Stein could join Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford on North…

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The N&O Story

By Gary Pearce March 12, 2025

Once upon a time, there was a great and powerful newspaper: The News & Observer. Everybody…

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How Democrats Win Again

By Gary Pearce March 10, 2025

The shouting, sign-waving and cane-wielding by congressional Democrats at the State of the Union isn’t a…

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