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 Other Big Lawsuit

By Carter Wrenn August 17, 2023

A legislator once told me how he traded political favors for campaign contributions: He said, It’s legal but you have to walk a line. He explained when someone asked him to vote for a bill he couldn’t say, ‘Sure, I will, if you’ll contribute to my campaign in return.’ That was a ‘quid pro quo.’…

No Defense

By Gary Pearce August 16, 2023

The Republican Party used to stand for a strong national defense. North Carolina’s two Republican Senators, Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, boast of their support for the state’s military personnel and veterans. But neither Tillis nor Budd, nor any Republican Senator, has the backbone to stand up to Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama (pictured), a…

Lawsuits Galore…

By Carter Wrenn August 16, 2023

Jack Smith’s lawsuit against Trump goes like this: 1) States counted votes, certified the winner; 2) Picked Presidential Electors; 3) Biden won the Electoral College; 4) On January 6 Trump tried to throw out Biden’s Electors so he could stay in power – that broke the law. Trump’s defense goes this way: 1) Biden didn’t…

The Dark Side

By Gary Pearce August 14, 2023

  Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson foretold Donald Trump 50 years ago when he wrote this about Richard Nixon: “(Nixon) represents that dark, venal and incurably violent side of the American character…. He speaks for the Werewolf in us; the bully, the predatory shyster who turns into something unspeakable, full of claws and bleeding string-warts…

Rolling the Dice

By Gary Pearce August 10, 2023

Twenty years ago, Republicans opposed the North Carolina Education Lottery on “moral” grounds. Now they can’t break ground fast enough on casinos across the state. Campaign donations are flowing like free drinks on a casino floor. Lobbyists are hitting the jackpot. It’s not just Republicans. Some Democrats say casinos are good for North Carolina. I’m…

All About Tricia

By Gary Pearce August 7, 2023

Why did once-progressive state Rep. Tricia Cotham switch to Donald Trump’s Republican Party? Because she’s just like Trump: Politics is all about her. That comes clear in an insightful article by Kate Kelly and David Perlmutt of The New York Times, “Inside the Party Switch That Blew Up North Carolina Politics.” A friend in Charlotte…

Rule of Law

By Gary Pearce August 2, 2023

Prosecutor Jack Smith proved yesterday that, in a world of coups and dictators, America is still a nation of law and justice. A grand jury of ordinary Americans indicted Donald Trump for trying, as President, to overturn the 2020 election. Trump will keep defying the rule of law. He will keep lying. Some 37% of…

Echoing Neville Chamberlain

By Carter Wrenn August 1, 2023

Back during the Cold War, veterans who’d fought in World War II watched Vietnam, Cuba, countries in Africa, Asia, Central America fall to the Soviet Union; determined to stop Russia, conservatives, like Ronald Reagan, said three words: ‘Peace through strength’ – liberals answered: ‘Détente.’ It looks like we’re heading into a new Cold War with…

Hot Political News

By Carter Wrenn July 31, 2023

Trump tweeted out a picture of Christie and Obama, said Christie helped sink Romney; Christie tweeted out a eighteen year old photo of Trump and Hillary, shot back he didn’t invite Hillary to his wedding. A GOP Congressman ripped the Biden Administration for hiding UFOs. Biden’s dog bit his Secret Service agents ten times, one…

Getting the News

By Gary Pearce March 13, 2026

How do you get your news? Our statewide poll asked North Carolina voters what their primary…

MAGA-gator

By Gary Pearce March 12, 2026

Thom Tillis and Phil Berger fed the MAGA alligator. Then it ate them. Thomas Mills wrote…

Enough is Enough

By Gary Pearce March 11, 2026

Exactly 80 years ago, in 1946, Republicans took control of Congress with a simple message: “Had…