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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A “Surge” versus a “Bump”

By Carter Wrenn January 8, 2007

President Bush’s much heralded ‘surge’ in Iraq has withered down to a ‘bump.’ Instead of sending forty-thousand more soldiers to Baghdad, according to the State Department we’re planning to send fifteen or twenty-thousand. Three or four combat brigades. Why not three or four divisions? If sending more soldiers to Iraq is valid logic, why not…

A New Direction: Home

By Gary Pearce January 8, 2007

“A new direction” is the Bush Administration’s latest grasp for an Iraq message. But there are only two directions: In deeper Or out. And Bush is headed the wrong way. To comment, send us an email to comment@talkingaboutpolitics.com.

First Madam Speaker, Then Madam President?

By Gary Pearce January 5, 2007

My wife and daughter were happy to see Speaker Pelosi sworn in. I’m sure a lot of women felt the same way. So many, in fact, that we could see Madam President sworn in two years from now. Dick Morris – who may or may not be an expert on women – has written that…

Common Sense and Lacrosse

By Carter Wrenn January 5, 2007

After Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong took the oath of office for a new term, apparently, the press was complaining about not being allowed to attend the ceremony, asking if it violated the Open Meetings laws. Judge Orlando Hudson, who swore in Nifong, then became the first government official in quite a while to say…

Backstage Politics: Meeker on Senators vs. Mayors

By Carter Wrenn January 5, 2007

While Judge Hudson was making common sense, Mayor Meeker was headed in the opposite direction. The Mayor told the News and Observer (1-3-07) he has “considered” running for the United States Senate against Elizabeth Dole, but decided there is more a mayor in a bustling city like Raleigh can do than a Senator. So he’s…

Villains and Heroes

By Carter Wrenn January 5, 2007

The Associated Press just took one of its perennial New Year’s Eve polls, asking questions like “Who was the biggest villain this past year?” George Bush was the biggest villain. More Americans said President Bush was a villain, than said Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Iran’s nuclear arms building President) and Kim Jong…

Newt McHenry

By Gary Pearce January 4, 2007

North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry is the early favorite for this Congress’ Newt Gingrich Hysterical Hypocrisy Award. “Waving his hands and stomping his feet,” according to news reports, McHenry decried House Democrats’ plans to quickly act on their key priorities. Such as ethics reform, stem cell research and raising the minimum wage. Railed McHenry: “If,…

Legal Ethics Revisited

By Carter Wrenn January 4, 2007

Last fall, defense attorney Tommy Manning did what appeared to be a clever thing. He got a case against his client, a Durham policeman accused of assaulting a short-order cook in the parking lot of Blinko’s Restaurant, dismissed on a technicality. But it turns out Manning wasn’t so clever after all. He told Judge Debra…

John Edwards Finally Takes a Stand

By Carter Wrenn January 3, 2007

John Edwards finally took a controversial stand on Sunday on George Stephanopoulos’ TV program and it was a doozie. Edwards didn’t put it quite this bluntly, but when Stephanopoulos asked if he supported ‘gay marriage,’ Edwards shook his head and said, ‘Well, I’m just not there yet.’ That was a first for Edwards. For years,…

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…