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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Victories for the Swamp

By Carter Wrenn April 22, 2019

State Treasurer Dale Folwell got whacked by the Swamp. It turns out the State Employees Health Insurance Fund has been spending $3 billion a year, costs have been going up 7-9% a year, and the fund is billions of dollars in debt – so Folwell decided to cut spending by the state paying hospitals the…

The Earth Shifted

By Carter Wrenn April 18, 2019

When Mark Harris bowed out of the Republican Primary for Congress in the 9th District Dan Bishop had to make a decision quickly – a State Senator, Bishop had a little name identification in Charlotte but he wasn’t well known in the rest of the District. He decided he’d run but with the election only…

The Perils of Purity

By Gary Pearce April 18, 2019

One of the hardest things to do in politics is to tune out the loud voices of insiders so you can hear the real voices of real voters. Used to be, the loud voices were hangers-on at headquarters and regulars at rallies and fundraisers. Now they’re on social media, Facebook and Twitter. A report in…

Dwane

By Gary Pearce April 15, 2019

Dwane Powell was an Arkansas farm boy who became a North Carolina institution. Politicians knew they’d made it when Dwane skewered them. Framed Powell cartoons decorate walls all over the state. People treasure doodles he did on napkins in bars and restaurants. For those of a certain age and mindset, he was Mad Magazine come…

Duking it out, Round 3

By Gary Pearce April 12, 2019

Last week I posted a back-and-forth about the state ordering Duke Energy to clean up and move coal ash. A guest blogger charged that Duke has lost touch – and clout – with powerful people in Raleigh. A Duke exec asked me to take down the blog. Instead, I let Duke respond. Today let’s talk…

Will Democrats Go Young?

By Gary Pearce April 10, 2019

2020 will mark 60 years since America elected its youngest President, John F. Kennedy. He succeeded America’s then-oldest President. JFK was 43; Ike was 70. Next year, Trump will be 74. Just saying. Will the torch be passed to a new generation? That depends on two things: Will Democrats go young with their nominee? And…

Duking it out, Round 2

By Gary Pearce April 4, 2019

Duke Energy has taken issue with a guest blog posted Tuesday “Duke it out.” Today the company responds. The blog at issue addressed the state’s order that Duke dig up and relocate millions of tons of coal ash at its old power plants, “a task of truly staggering logistical and financial consequences.” The blogger said…

Duke it out

By Gary Pearce April 2, 2019

No, this is not more bashing of Duke basketball, Coach K and Zion. These are observations sent along by a veteran of Raleigh’s utility-regulation wars, who shall remain nameless: The headlines today should terrify anyone who remains a shareholder of Duke Energy because it confirms the utility’s political clout in the state is zero. Duke…

Just wait…

By Gary Pearce March 28, 2019

Over coffee this week, a couple of Democrats were bemoaning the news on the Mueller report. “Trump will have a field day,” one said. The other groaned, “We’ll never hear the end of it from the Trump-lovers.” But a wise head reassured them: “Don’t worry. It won’t be long before Trump steps on his own…

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…