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.

CarterWrenn

Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

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.

CarterWrenn

Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

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Four Years Ago

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-18

Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley of North Carolina accidentally told the truth last week. On a Fox News show, Whatley (photo) said, “At the end of the day, this comes down to a very simple contrast between President Trump and President Biden. Were you better off four years ago than you are today? The…

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YDs Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-15

Young Democrats are bringing new energy to the North Carolina party this year, but that’s only one reason I keep an eye on them. YD leaders today tend to become NC leaders tomorrow. I found this clip from The News & Observer, October 6, 1968, about that year’s state YD convention in Fayetteville. Reporter Dick…

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A Doctored Photo, A History Lesson

By Carter Wrenn 2024-03-13

A Super Pac doctored a photograph, put it in an ad to elect Kelly Daughtry – I wondered who told them, Do that – it’s fine. The first time I met Leo Daughtry he was helping Gerald Ford beat Ronald Reagan in the 1976 Republican primary. Most party-first Republicans back then were from the mountains.…

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Trump’s VP

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-12

You may have laughed or recoiled at Senator Katie Britt’s State of the Union response, but Trump is thinking: “This is my kind of girl. She’s a looker, just my type. And she knows a woman’s place: in the kitchen. She won’t be like that damn Pence. She’ll do what I tell her.” Plus, Britt…

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Ignore that…

By Carter Wrenn 2024-03-11

Hitler rose to power; across the Atlantic Ocean in America banks shuttered, out of work fathers stood in bread lines, the Great Depression deepened. German stormtroopers marched into the Rhineland, Austria, Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia – standing in bread lines people shook their heads, Hitler doesn’t matter to us. Hitler rolled tanks into Poland, Belgium, Holland, France,…

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BANGO!

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-08

President Biden’s feisty, fiery, funny State of the Union sent me back to one of the best political books ever: What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer, about the 1988 presidential candidates, including Biden. Cramer wrote this about “Joey” Biden growing up in Scranton, PA: “You didn’t want to fight him. Most guys who got…

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Poll Watch

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-07

High Point University hit a low point in polling. Last Friday, four days before Tuesday’s primary, the HPU poll reported this in the Democratic race for N.C. Attorney General: Satana Deberry       31% Tim Dunn                  33% Jeff Jackson              36% The poll was right on the money. About Deberry. She got 33% of the vote.…

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Time to Choose

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-06

After Tuesday’s primaries, the choice is clear for North Carolina and the nation. It’s Democratic reason versus Republican rage. It’s real action on real problems versus revenge and retribution. It’s the difference between President Biden and Donald Trump – and between Josh Stein and Mark Robinson. Democrats want government to attack economic insecurity, ignorance, hunger,…

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Iran

By Carter Wrenn 2024-03-04

Back when the Shah ruled Iran Ali Khamenei was arrested six times, exiled. The Shah fell, Khamenei returned home, became president of Iran. An assassin set a tape recorder with a bomb inside in front of him – the bomb exploded, mutilated his arm. After Iran’s first Ayatollah died, Khamenei became the Supreme Leader. His…

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Four Years Ago

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-18

Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley of North Carolina accidentally told the truth last week. On…

Read More

YDs Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

By Gary Pearce 2024-03-15

Young Democrats are bringing new energy to the North Carolina party this year, but that’s only…

Read More

A Doctored Photo, A History Lesson

By Carter Wrenn 2024-03-13

A Super Pac doctored a photograph, put it in an ad to elect Kelly Daughtry –…

Read More