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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Good Soldiers

By Carter Wrenn January 24, 2007

Our generals, like the good soldiers they are, are loyally fighting the war in Iraq with the weapons the politicians are giving them. But if those weapons are not sufficient, or, conversely, if sending 21,000 more men to Baghdad is a fool’s errand, their loyalty should not prevent them from saying so. According to Bob…

Joe Hackney’s First Scandal

By Carter Wrenn January 24, 2007

The new Democrat choice for House Speaker, Joe Hackney, just inherited his first scandal. Two years ago Ms. Ann Lassiter, who headed the House page program, landed in hot water. First, in a lapse of judgment she has apologized for, she had the page program pay her son rent (so pages could live in his…

Welcome to the NFL

By Gary Pearce January 23, 2007

It’s the season for hard hits – both in football and politics. Two political hits, in particular: A Washington Post story that John Edwards sold his D.C. mansion for $5.2 million to Paul and Terry Klaassen, “wealthy founders of the nation’s largest chain of assisted-living housing for seniors” who are “currently cooperating with a government…

Wish Lists

By Carter Wrenn January 23, 2007

The City Council has sent a wish-list of programs it wants the federal government to fund to Raleigh’s Congressional delegation. (News and Observer; 1-18-07). Let’s classify the six projects the newspaper reported three ways: Necessary Projects, Nice Projects (but not immediately necessary) and Luxuries. Necessary Projects $5.6 Million – in “homeland security grants to upgrade…

The Lacrosse Case

By Carter Wrenn January 23, 2007

There is not much, politically, I see eye to eye on with defense attorney Joe Cheshire. But, years ago, Joe and I worked together when one of my clients hired him as their legal counsel. At a hearing before the State Board of Elections he gave the final argument. Instead of theatrics, he made a…

Running the War in Baghdad by Committee

By Carter Wrenn January 23, 2007

As if the President didn’t face enough problems with Congress over the war in Iraq – now he has the Iraqi government sniping at his plan too. Or, at least, a crucial part of it. It appears Iraq’s Shiite government isn’t anxious to crack down equally on Shiite and Sunni terrorists. So Prime Minister Nouri…

Mayor Meeker and the Traffic Circles

By Carter Wrenn January 22, 2007

Mayor Meeker’s plan to put a series of charming English-type traffic circles on Hillsborough Street – just sank like the Titanic. The Mayor, for several years, has been pushing to transform Hillsborough Street by widening the sidewalks, putting a seven foot median down the center of the street, and reducing the traffic from four to…

Cleaning Up Congress

By Carter Wrenn January 22, 2007

Before the election the Democrats had a lot to say about cleaning-up the corruption in Congress – which was a good thing because Congress is past due for a little housecleaning. One of the items to be cleaned is Congressmen’s spouses working as lobbyists. Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana – not a state known…

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…

Stein’s Clout

By Gary Pearce March 6, 2026

Governor Josh Stein had a good day Tuesday, and there’s good news for him in our…

Too Long

By Gary Pearce March 5, 2026

 “For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph,…

2 Votes!

By Gary Pearce March 4, 2026

Because of just 2 votes, North Carolina politics will be consumed – and the General Assembly…