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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Spinning Tales

By Carter Wrenn March 3, 2025

Trump growled Zelensky started the Ukraine war. John Bolton said Trump was wrong. Angry, my friend Ken told me, ‘Ukraine doesn’t matter to us.’ Ken knew Zelensky hadn’t started the war. But Trump spinning a tale didn’t matter to him. After the Soviet Union collapsed, for 30 years America was the world’s dominant power. No…

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Vanished

By Gary Pearce March 3, 2025

Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall and stood up to what he called the “Evil Empire.” Trump and Vance sat in the Oval Office, set up Ukraine’s President Zelensky and sucked up to Evil Emperor Putin. Reagan demanded, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Trump and Vance complained that Zelensky was “disrespectful” and didn’t…

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Anything Goes…

By Carter Wrenn February 26, 2025

Back when Rod Blagojevich ran for governor of Illinois, Obama endorsed him and Trump gave his campaign money. After Obama got elected president, Governor Blagojevich got caught on tape trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat to the highest bidder. He got impeached, booted out of office. Then got indicted. Before his trial he starred on…

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Does This Work?

By Gary Pearce February 23, 2025

Does a message about “workers,” “working families” and “working-class voters” really work for Democrats? Or does it heighten the perception that we see Americans as identity groups, instead of individuals? Ken Martin (photo), the new national Democratic Party chairman, obviously thinks “working class” works. This week, he sent a 2,000-plus-word memo that used some form…

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Out of Touch

By Gary Pearce February 20, 2025

I’ve resisted the temptation to rail every day about Trump’s cruelty, corruption and incompetence – and the cowardice of Republicans who know it’s wrong, but go along. Instead, I’ve tried to understand how Democrats could be so bad that voters elected Trump again. I’ve searched for lessons to learn. I’ve waded through a flood of…

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Jeanette Hyde

By Gary Pearce February 14, 2025

Jeanette Hyde went from Miss Yadkin County to Madam Ambassador. Hyde, who died Monday at age 86, was described in her family’s obituary as “a trailblazing diplomat, political activist, businesswoman, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.” She was a devoted Democrat, a fierce advocate for women in politics and a tireless fundraiser – for Bill and Hillary…

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The Best Way to Steal an Election

By Carter Wrenn February 13, 2025

We’ve heard a lot about stolen votes – but here’s the best way to steal an election: Redraw a congressional district, take out the voters you don’t like, put in more voters do you like. If you stuff the district with Republicans, the Republican wins. If you stuff it with Democrats, the Democrat wins. The…

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Tillis’ Choice

By Gary Pearce February 12, 2025

Senator Thom Tillis is a good politician. He may be good enough to preserve his image as a Serious Senator who works across the aisle AND avoid being primaried next year by Trump. He may avoid losing to Roy Cooper next November. But what a miserable, degrading path he must tread every day. He knows…

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A Democrat to Watch

By Gary Pearce February 10, 2025

No, Trump’s blitzkrieg hasn’t left Democrats hapless, hopeless and rudderless. Here’s one example of the immense talent on the Democratic team: Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. He caught my attention with several recent posts @ChrisMurphyCT: “Yesterday Trump unveiled his priorities for his tax bill…. It’s a massive tax giveaway to the rich and powerful, financed…

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Democrats 33, Republicans 1

By Carter Wrenn August 22, 2007

For thirty years, Republicans have been steadily gaining on Democrats in party registration. But the numbers…

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Rove’s Legacy

By Carter Wrenn August 21, 2007

Back in the days when Ronald Reagan was first running for president, trying to dethrone the…

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New York, New York

By Gary Pearce August 17, 2007

It’s been 60 years since both parties nominated New Yorkers for President (FDR vs. Dewey). But…

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