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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No Democratic Dead Zone Here

By Gary Pearce November 28, 2006

A recent story in The New York Times asked: “Is the South Truly a Dead Zone for Democrats?” You’d have to be politically brain dead to believe that. Look at North Carolina after the November elections: We’re one of only 15 states with a Democratic governor and Democratic majorities in both houses of the legislature;…

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Will Walter Jones Turn Blue?

By Gary Pearce November 21, 2006

Will Democrat-turned-Republican Congressman Walter Jones turn back to the party of his father? That’s the rumor in Raleigh this week. Jones was a Democratic member of the State House and a Democratic Congressional candidate before he became a Republican and won his U.S. House seat in 1994. Before that, Jones worked for Governor Jim Hunt.…

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Carville versus Dean

By Gary Pearce November 21, 2006

The war between James Carville and Howard Dean reflects a long-running divide inside the Democratic Party. I suspect Republicans suffer it, too. Carville speaks for the political pros – the consultants, pollsters and media mavens. Dean speaks for the grassroots – the state chairs, county chairs and precinct chairs. The battle is over money. The…

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Memo to Congress

By Gary Pearce November 20, 2006

Now that House Democrats saved Nancy Pelosi from the self-inflicted wound of John Murtha, it’s time to take up real ethics reform. Nobody has made that case better Bruce Thompson, who I think is one of Raleigh’s best lawyer-lobbyists. He’s also a good Democrat, I should add. Bruce wrote an op-ed in Monday’s Charlotte Observer…

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Democrats Win Again

By Gary Pearce November 17, 2006

I hereby declare a Democratic victory in the much-hyped Pelosi/Murtha affair. Here’s why: Pelosi stuck by Murtha because he helped her and stood up to Bush on Iraq. Loyalty is good. But the Democratic caucus rejected Murtha because he’s not good on ethics. Ethics are good. And the Democrats showed they’re independent, not beaten-down sheep…

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Democrats Win Again

By Gary Pearce November 17, 2006

I hereby declare a Democratic victory in the much-hyped Pelosi/Murtha affair. Here’s why: Pelosi stuck by Murtha because he helped her and stood up to Bush on Iraq. Loyalty is good. But the Democratic caucus rejected Murtha because he’s not good on ethics. Ethics are good. And the Democrats showed they’re independent, not beaten-down sheep…

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Earth to Madame Speaker

By Gary Pearce November 16, 2006

Nancy Pelosi got off to a good start after Election Day. But she’s about to blow it. Here is hoping the Democratic caucus saves her from herself today. What is she thinking: Supporting the ethically challenged John Murtha for the No. 2 caucus position? The man who told the Abscam bribers he wasn’t interested “at…

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Democrat vs. Democrat

By Gary Pearce November 15, 2006

The talk-show blowhards want to know if Republicans and Democrats can work together in Washington. I want to know if Democrats can work together.Senator Charles Shumer and Congressman Rahm Emanual did a smart thing: They put winning ahead of ideological purity. They recruited candidates like: Bob Casey in Pennsylvania, who is pro-life. Health Shuler in…

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Get Out Now

By Gary Pearce November 14, 2006

Why not get out of Iraq now? Immediately. No phased withdrawal. No graceful exit. No fig-leaf of victory. Here’s the first argument: Iraq will fall into chaos. Well, it’s already in chaos. Argument No. 2: America will be humiliated in the world. Could we be more humiliated? Actually, I’m not sure getting out is right.…

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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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