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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Filling the Debate Vacuum in Raleigh

By Gary Pearce November 17, 2005

My dictionary defines “vacuous” as “empty, stupid, senseless.” By that definition, Raleigh’s city elections this year were pretty vacuous. And politics abhors a vacuum. Events in the month since the election make me think we’re about to get a real debate for the next two years – and into the next election. One debate will…

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Democrats and Mistakes

By Carter Wrenn November 17, 2005

Speaking of mistakes, former Senator, candidate for Vice President and anti-poverty poster boy John Edwards is admitting he made one when he voted for the war in Iraq. Confession is good for the soul and it’s always a pleasant surprise to see a politician admit he made a mistake. But former Senator Edwards’ contrition may…

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Irag: Deception or Mistake

By Carter Wrenn November 17, 2005

President Bush’s national secretary adviser, Stephen Hadley, and Republican members of Congress have launched an offensive declaring allegations that the President manipulated intelligence “are flat wrong.” Alright, let’s agree President Bush didn’t mislead anyone. Where does that leave us? It leaves us with one troubling question. Now, let me get this right, Mr. Hadley, we’re…

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Promoting Democracy

By Carter Wrenn November 17, 2005

Last week, the News and Observer reported (11-07-05), “Preaching democracy in the largest country in South America, President Bush urged leaders in the region to pursue his ‘vision of hope…’ The newspaper also reported, “The President did not name names. But his remarks appeared unmistakably aimed at Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez…” Now, I’m no expert…

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Corruption

By Carter Wrenn November 17, 2005

Gary, I’ll give you this much, in regards to your blog “Politics of Indictments” (posted 11/14/05), you’ve put your finger on what may be the most important issue in politics today: corruption. And not just money corruption. Verbal corruption: spin, the verbal sleight hand, the careful turn of phrase have become an art form both…

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Another Can of Worms for Republicans?

By Carter Wrenn November 15, 2005

The last thing Republicans needed right now was to open a new can of worms but they may have done just that. Senator Bill Frist (and Congressman Dennis Hastert) have called for Congress to investigate the ‘leak’ of classified information to the Washington Post about “a web of secret prisons being used to harass and…

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Adolf Hitler?

By Carter Wrenn November 15, 2005

It never does to take politics too seriously. Sometimes, the only defense is a good sense of humor. Far be it from me to criticize anyone for running a negative ad – but the people who make political ads, and the campaigns and candidates do get a little carried away at times. In Virginia, Republican…

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The Virtues of Blogging

By Gary Pearce November 15, 2005

The News & Observer ran a front-page article Tuesday on John Edwards’ statement that “I was wrong” to vote for the Iraq war. Edwards announced the switch in an op-ed article that ran in the Washington Post Sunday. But alert bloggers knew what Edwards was going to say more than a month ago. His wife…

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The Politics of Indictments

By Gary Pearce November 14, 2005

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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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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Grinch Griffin

By Gary Pearce December 22, 2024

The Grinch tried to steal Christmas. Jefferson Griffin is trying to steal an election at Christmas.…

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Tall Tales?

By Carter Wrenn December 20, 2024

I might be wrong but a story one of Kamala Harris’ political wizards told after she…

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