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 Dangerous Chase for Ratings

By Gary Pearce February 2, 2006

When I heard about ABC anchorman Bob Woodruff being injured in Iraq, I thought first about his wife and four children. Then I thought about TV ratings. The unpleasant truth is that Woodruff was sitting in that vehicle because ABC is desperately chasing evening-news ratings. We all laugh when TV talking heads stand outside in…

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Drug Companies

By Carter Wrenn February 1, 2006

Gary, with all due respect, I believe I’ll pass on defending (see post below) the drug companies. Have at ‘em with my best wishes.

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The Oil Companies Strike Again

By Carter Wrenn February 1, 2006

Sometimes – though I feel a bit queasy about it – I think the liberals may have a point about the oil companies. The New York Times reports that while gasoline and natural gas prices have soared, big oil royalty payments for oil and gas pumped from publicly owned lands is little more than it…

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Corruption Poll

By Carter Wrenn January 27, 2006

Well, there’s good news on corruption – sort of. The folks over at the Civitas Institute have taken a statewide poll and asked voters which party is more corrupt – Democrats or Republicans. So, who wins? Well, when it comes to corruption right here in North Carolina: 25% say Republicans are more corrupt (which puzzling…

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Oprah Rules the Book World

By Gary Pearce January 27, 2006

Oprah Winfrey already had become the most powerful bookseller in the world. Her endorsement – and an appearance on her show – guaranteed an author fame and fortune. Now she’s become even more powerful – by eviscerating (one report said “emasculating”) lying author James Frey on national TV. She also scolded publishers for publishing memoirs…

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Corruption Poll

By Carter Wrenn January 27, 2006

Well, there’s good news on corruption – sort of. The folks over at the Civitas Institute have taken a statewide poll and asked voters which party is more corrupt – Democrats or Republicans. So, who wins? Well, when it comes to corruption right here in North Carolina: 25% say Republicans are more corrupt (which puzzling…

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Time for Some Demo Judo?

By Gary Pearce January 26, 2006

Bush/Rove think they’ve turned some good political judo on the Democrats over the eavesdropping battle. (Political judo is when you turn your opponent’s strength into his weakness.) Washington Dems thought they had Bush on the run when the New York Times revealed the eavesdropping program. Now Bush/Rove have gladly taken up the fight. They’ve served…

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Corruption and Reform – Washington Style

By Carter Wrenn January 26, 2006

Voters are hearing a lot of talk from politicians these days in Washington about lobbying reform. Both parties have presented packages to ‘clean up the mess’ and though the Democrats say they’re going a little further than Republicans, basically, both parties are saying the same thing, they want to curtail gifts and travel paid for…

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Chinese Spies in Morrisville

By Carter Wrenn January 26, 2006

Here’s a strange twist. The Morrisville City Council seems about to give Chinese computer giant Lenova $1 million in tax breaks – to relocate there. Giving tax breaks – even to a Chinese conglomerate – is not strange. But what’s unusual is that the federal government told Lenovo it had to leave the Research Triangle…

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Another Story from Politics

By Carter Wrenn December 24, 2024

Watergate sunk Nixon. Jimmy Carter was elected. Two years later Jesse Helms ran for reelection. In…

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Unhappy Holidays?

By Gary Pearce December 24, 2024

We Americans are angry this Christmas. 77 million voters were so angry they elected Trump. 75…

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A Surprise

By Carter Wrenn December 23, 2024

‘You tell a lot of good stories about Reagan, like his saying a prayer for the…

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