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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A Reckoning

By Carter Wrenn 2023-07-06

On election night three years ago standing at a podium in the White House Trump said the election was stolen. He went on to claim voting machines switched Trump votes to Biden. And that boxes of illegal ballots were rolled into voting centers late at night. Neither turned out to be true. And he was…

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The Mirror

By Carter Wrenn 2023-07-05

In his ‘Farewell Address,’ leaving office, George Washington reminded Americans of a simple truth: “Honesty is the best policy.” And for years when a politician made the mistake of telling a lie he paid a price. During the Vietnam War Lyndon Johnson told people we were winning – the Tet Offensive proved he was spinning…

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Fired Up!

By Gary Pearce 2023-07-05

Less than 24 hours after I blogged that Democrats in the legislature seemed “beat down,” I got corrected. One of the House Democratic leaders called Saturday morning to tell me that caucus members are fired up, energized and getting organized for 2024, 2026, 2028 – and for taking the majority by the end of the…

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A Salesman’s Pitch

By Carter Wrenn 2023-07-03

After being indicted, Trump flew to New Hampshire, told voters: “They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom.” Added: “They’re not after me, they’re after you and I’m just standing in their way. Right?” I’m a victim. I fight for you. It’s you they’re really after.…

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Democrats’ Split Personality

By Gary Pearce 2023-06-30

There are two wildly divergent states of mind – and emotional states – among North Carolina Democrats today. I saw one at last Saturday night’s Unity Dinner in Raleigh. I see and hear the other among Democrats in politics and government in Raleigh. At the dinner, 400-plus eager, energized and enthusiastic Democrats jammed the reception,…

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Testy

By Carter Wrenn 2023-06-30

Oklahoma’s governor endorsed Ron DeSantis. Unhappy, Trump tweeted, ‘I won 77 of 77 counties’ – in Oklahoma – ‘something that never happened before.’ George Bush won 77 of 77 Oklahoma counties in 2004. Mitt Romney won 77 of 77 in 2012. But Trump got testy. And facts didn’t matter.

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Classic Trump

By Carter Wrenn 2023-06-29

Trump said: “Unlike Ron DeSanctimonious, who worked to gut Medicare and Social Security and voted three times to raise the retirement age to 70, I will always fight for our great seniors.” An insult, a nickname, followed by a punch, ending in a boast. Classic Trump. By the way: Trump, himself, supported raising the retirement…

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“Hitler,” Mr. Robinson?

By Gary Pearce 2023-06-28

Mark Robinson, who leads the Republican race for governor of North Carolina, said this about the criminal charges against Donald Trump: “Law and order has been destroyed, and we have a two-tiered justice system that has been weaponized against political enemies, much like it was during Hitler’s reign.” Have you read the indictment, Mr. Robinson?…

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“MAGA Fascists” vs Democracy

By Gary Pearce 2023-06-26

Adrian Fontes doesn’t mince words. He calls election-deniers “MAGA fascists.” Fontes, Arizona’s newly elected secretary of state, was the keynote speaker at the state Democratic Party’s Unity Dinner Saturday night. The big, burly ex-Marine with a booming voice and commanding presence delivered the most powerful and inspiring speech I’ve heard since Barack Obama in 2008.…

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For Our Schools: Mo Green

By Gary Pearce 2024-04-18

A teacher I know, who happens to be our daughter Maggie Pearce Dill, said it better…

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The Least Harm

By Carter Wrenn 2024-04-17

Siena College took a poll, Biden crept up, gaining 4 points: Trump 45%, Biden 44%. The…

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Post-Christian America

By Carter Wrenn 2024-04-16

‘8 in 10 Americans Say Religion Is Losing Influence in Public Life,’ the headline roared. The…

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