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 Internet Strikes Again

By Carter Wrenn 2009-09-15

Hardly a Democrat has a doubt the Internet has become a force majeure in politics; and if any Republican had any doubts take a look at what’s happened to Representative Joe Wilson Congressman Wilson was cruising to reelection in a Republican District when he called out, “You lie!” on national TV – then overnight a…

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The Best Ethics Insurance

By Gary Pearce 2009-09-15

Pass any ethics law you want. Set up any ethics board you want. The best ethics protection remains The News & Observer.   Getting a copy of the Easleys’ settlement statement at Cannonsgate (can there really be a –gate in this story?) is an amazing coup. As shown by Wade Byrd’s threat to sue the…

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The News

By Carter Wrenn 2009-09-14

There’s plenty of hot news lately.   Iran’s close to building a bomb.   ACORN operatives got caught on film trying to figure out how to bring young girls from Honduras to Baltimore for what sounded a lot like a prostitution ring.   And the Republican National Committees are going all out to elect a…

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Marshalling No Enthusiasm

By Gary Pearce 2009-09-14

Excuse the big yawn from many Democrats at the news Elaine Marshall apparently will run for Senate.   I say apparently because, as the N&O noted, her consultant announced her candidacy. She was not available to speak for herself. Not a good sign. And not the sign of a committed candidate.   Yes, she is…

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One Up on P.T. Barnum

By Carter Wrenn 2009-09-14

  As if Governor Perdue’s not singlehandedly doing enough to sink the Democrats next election (with her 25% Favorable to 50% Unfavorable) former Governor Easley is lending a hand.   Not even P.T. Barnum pulled off what Easley ahs done: Going to a real estate closing to buy a half-a-million dollar lot with borrowed money…

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Persuader-in-Chief

By Carter Wrenn 2009-09-11

Never underestimate a President who can talk eloquently about moral issues.   It’s easy to forget that. We haven’t had a President who could do it for 20 years – since Ronald Reagan left the White House.   The Bushes could hardly put together a coherent sentence. Yes, Bill Clinton could talk a blue streak.…

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No Tears for Ted

By Gary Pearce 2009-09-11

  One of the great falsehoods peddled by Jim Hunt-haters – and repeated in a recent comment on this site – is that he cried after Ted Kennedy’s speech to the 1980 convention.   Sorry, haters. It didn’t happen.   I was there. Standing beside Hunt on the floor of Madison Square Garden during Kennedy’s…

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Obama Speaks

By Carter Wrenn 2009-09-10

Watching President Obama give a speech is sort of like it used to be watching Reggie Jackson play baseball – I’m no Yankees fan but at times watching Reggie (like in the World Series game when he hit three homeruns) could be pretty amazing.   Plus, President Obama has guts, which is about the rarest…

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The Cost of Health Care

By Gary Pearce 2009-09-10

One of the smartest people I know in the health-care field is Bill Atkinson, CEO of WakeMed.   Not long ago, he made a point that gets little attention in today’s debate: That most American families – no matter how well off – are one major illness from financial ruin.   The debate seems to…

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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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