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 Pot Calls the Kettle Black

By Carter Wrenn July 24, 2006

John Edwards is always exhorting Democrats to have more courage. To stand up for their convictions. Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich recently came to Raleigh and challenged Edwards to debate his convictions. “My challenge to your former senator,” Gingrich said, “Who is running around the country prattling about ending poverty is simple: Take on…

More on “A Blue Ribbon Punt”

By Gary Pearce July 20, 2006

Two members of the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of Wake County have weighed in on my comments. First, a businessman I know well who served on the commission says: “The N&O take on the BRC was misleading. I know that’s a surprise to both of you.” He added this from his perspective as…

Democrats and Budgets

By Carter Wrenn July 20, 2006

Here’s how the Democrats in the legislature handle the state budget. For five of the last six years they’ve given us deficits from $200 million to $1.5 billion. Their solution: to raise taxes. Then, finally, they raised taxes so much we had a year with a surplus. What did they do? They cut taxes a…

Blowing up the Holland Tunnel

By Carter Wrenn July 20, 2006

Authorities have arrested three men – and are seeking five others – overseas in a plot to blow up the train tunnels beneath the Hudson River that lead to Manhattan. The New York Daily News also reported the terrorists had intended to blow a hole in the wall of the Holland Tunnel to flood it.…

Courage Again?

By Carter Wrenn July 19, 2006

“I believe in a Democratic Party with a little backbone and a little guts.” John Edwards is again calling on Democrats that have ‘guts;’ this time while campaigning in Ohio to increase the state’s minimum wage. My guess is you could search Ohio for a week and not find a single Democrat who votes in…

The Presidential Election

By Carter Wrenn July 19, 2006

The DemocratsThe Democratic presidential race starts out as two separate elections which take place at the same time during the first Democratic primaries. The first election is for the leadership – to be the standard bearer – of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. The other for the leadership of the ‘New Democrats’ or…

North Hills Expansion

By Carter Wrenn July 19, 2006

It’s hard for me to justify the City subsidizing one business at the expense of another. Should the City give the Marriott $20 million and a leg up over its competitor, the Sheraton across the street? Should North Hills get a tax exemption and a leg up over its competitors Crabtree Valley or Triangle Towne…

Nervous in Raleigh

By Gary Pearce July 19, 2006

Downtown Raleigh is a nervous place this week. Especially the Legislative Building. Rumors abound: FBI agents are interviewing legislators. Legislators are secretly testifying before the federal grand jury investigating Speaker Black. Indictments are coming down. Stay tuned. Click to Read & Post Comments

A Blue Ribbon Punt Reaction

By Gary Pearce July 18, 2006

Was my blog about the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County (“A Blue Ribbon Punt”) too harsh? One reader says no: “What a laugh. The “Blue Ribbon” panel was designed to deflect blame from the big spenders. The scandal in this whole charade is the failure of anyone to mention or factor…

“Conservative Successes”?

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2026

Senator Phil Berger was out of touch with voters in his district – and suffered the…

Rise and Fall

By Gary Pearce April 21, 2026

A reassuring lesson from our trip to Germany and Czechia is that dictators, despots and tyrants…

Rolling Down the Elbe

By Gary Pearce April 19, 2026

Gwyn and I just returned from a 12-day journey through 1,000 years of history in Germany…