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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Gary hears from a Democratic Critic

By Gary Pearce June 5, 2006

Last week I got an email from an old friend who is active in Raleigh politics. He took issue with my recent analysis of city politics – and my warning that Mayor Meeker’s spending policies could present a problem for Raleigh Democrats. I’m not going to use my friend’s name, because he didn’t say whether…

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Another Profile in Courage from John Edwards

By Carter Wrenn June 5, 2006

John Edwards, who has made a political career of standing up on issues – like poverty – that are virtually non-controversial has found one more. Edwards is for: Home. He is publishing a book Home: The Blueprints of our Lives, which features profiles of the homes of Bob Dole, John Glenn, Maya Lin, Jake Gyllenhall…

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The Lottery’s Hot Air Balloon

By Carter Wrenn June 5, 2006

Here’s a wise use of our education lottery money. The Executive Director of the State Lottery is going to climb into a hot air balloon and sail it over the Raleigh beltline with two banners flapping in the wind promoting ‘Powerball.’ The cost of this PR stunt is $6,200. In the meantime, while the lottery…

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Hugh Morton

By Gary Pearce June 4, 2006

Hugh Morton, who died this week, was one of the most maddeningly persistent men I ever met. He was also one of the sweetest souls I ever knew. Hugh about drove me crazy when he pushed and pushed to get Jim Hunt and Jesse Helms together to save the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. He got it…

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The Most Interesting Thing in State Politics…

By Carter Wrenn June 2, 2006

…is the way the Senate Democrats are hammering House Speaker Jim Black. Marc Basnight, the Senate leader, is one of the all-time North Carolina political powerhouses, wheeler-dealers. He is also interesting. Because he has the ability to surprise. Basnight’s surprise this year is all the punches the Senate is throwing at House Speaker Black. First,…

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The Chancellor’s New Home

By Carter Wrenn June 1, 2006

N.C. State University is going to spend $3.5 million to build a 12,300 square foot ‘house’ for its chancellor (News and Observer, 5/21/06). Similar ‘McMansions’ have been built at UNC-Wilmington, UNC-Charlotte and Appalachian State University. There’s a lot to be proud of about NCSU but it’s a shame they’re trying to match other colleges by…

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TTA – Raleigh’s New Developers

By Carter Wrenn June 1, 2006

The TTA can’t get the first dollar out of Washington to build its lite-rail boondoggle. But Mayor Meeker and the Raleigh City Council have voted to approve a TTA station on five acres at the State Fairgrounds. There’s no lite-rail. There’s no funding coming from Washington for lite-rail. But taxpayers are buying land for the…

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The TTA Strikes Again

By Carter Wrenn May 31, 2006

Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) officials have finally admitted they cannot meet the federal standards to get money from Washington to build their lite-rail project. But are they going to pitch their tent and save the taxpayers the millions they are pouring into the TTA each year? Well, no. According to the News and Observer (News…

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Jim Black Attacks Art Pope

By Carter Wrenn May 30, 2006

Art Pope must be tickled to death. Last month he lead a campaign to defeat five Republican legislators – saying they were really pawns of Democratic House Speaker Jim Black – because three years ago they voted for a coalition that elected Republican Richard Morgan and Democrat Black Co-Speakers of the House. Of course, the…

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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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