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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The Politics of Indictments

By Gary Pearce 2005-11-14

It is striking how much of today’s political conversation – in Raleigh and in Washington – is centered on indictments and criminal investigations. Witness: · Nationally, Democrats hope the stench of corruption around the White House and Tom Delay will help them retake Congress next year. · In the state, Republicans have been warning darkly…

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Here’s Why Mike Easley is Governor

By Carter Wrenn 2005-11-14

If you saw ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ a few years ago, you may remember the Governor of Texas doing a song and dance routine called ‘Dancing the Two-Step with the Press.’ Governor Easley gave us a first class example of how that works at his press conference about the lottery scandal last week.…

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Morgan’s Opponent

By Carter Wrenn 2005-11-14

According to The Pilot, Pinehurst Republican Joe Boylan says he is considering challenging state Representative Richard Morgan in the primary next year. Three years ago, Morgan broke with House Republicans to form a coalition with Democratic House leader Jim Black. Morgan had his reasons for not supporting the Republican Caucus choice for Speaker. But nobody…

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Promoting Mayor Meeker’s Convention Center

By Carter Wrenn 2005-11-11

Two Raleigh public relations firms have been having a ‘little tiff’ over which of them should get the most government contracts. Mayor Meeker’s Convention Center found a unique solution. It hired both. Capstrat – the Raleigh Public Relations firm – will receive a $12,000 monthly retainer. French/West will receive $4,000 per month. So, how about…

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The War and 2006

By Gary Pearce 2005-11-11

Having (apparently) escaped indictment, Karl Rove reportedly has returned to full action in the White House. Among other chores, he is said to be recruiting Republican candidates for 2006. Two speeches by U.S. Senators frame the dilemma that will dominate next year’s elections – for Rove and for Democrats. First, John McCain spoke out about…

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What a Difference a Year Makes

By Gary Pearce 2005-11-11

One year ago today, Democrats were down. John Kerry and John Edwards had lost. Erskine Bowles had lost. George Bush was riding high. Karl Rove was hailed as “the architect.” That was a political lifetime ago. Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey and California have Democrats high-fiving. Democrats won governor’s races in Virginia and New…

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More Consultants

By Carter Wrenn 2005-11-11

The News and Observer also reports the Mayor has hired another consultant for $300,000 to verify that his Convention Center is being built with an “energy efficient and environmentally friendly design.” City Councilman Philip Isley asked why the city needs to hire a consultant “when it has already paid architects to design a green [environmentally…

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Does the Lottery Cause Amnesia?

By Carter Wrenn 2005-11-11

When the press asked Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand about his dealings with defrocked lottery commissioner Kevin Geddings – Rand had a severe case of amnesia. It appears to be contagious. Now, several other Democratic politicians seem to have suffered a loss of memory. Now, the newspapers are reporting Rand had more reasons to know…

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Smelly?

By Carter Wrenn 2005-11-11

Filed under: General, North Carolina – Democrats — Carter Wrenn @ 12:34 pm Now that Kevin Geddings, Scientific Games hand-picked lottery commissioner, has resigned all’s right with the world and North Carolina can roll on to lottery heaven. Right? Wrong. The News and Observer just threw a wet blanket over Act II of the lottery.…

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Democrats’ Country Inroads

By Gary Pearce 2024-04-25

New data shows that North Carolina Democrats are right to look for votes on country roads…

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A Lost Soul

By Carter Wrenn 2024-04-23

We don’t know much about him – he grew up in a village on the coast…

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Rachel Hunt and MAGA Meltdown

By Gary Pearce 2024-04-23

Two things this past weekend made me feel good about this election. First, I crashed a…

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