◼ On Thursday, the Charlotte Observer ran a story about a leaked confidential memo released by a below-the-radar shadow group called Blueprint NC. The confidential memo revealed a left-wing plan to attack North Carolina’s governor and other conservative leaders. - RedState
According to the Observer’s piece, the confidential memo was from Bluepint NC’s Communications Coordinator Stephanie Bass and addressed to its “partner groups.”
As part of a two-year plan to “Eviscerate, Mitigate, Litigate, Cogitate, and Agitate,” the memo outlines a strategy to target Republican Governor Pat McRory and other conservative leaders:
“Crippl(e) their leaders (McCrory, Tillis, Berger etc.)”If you’ve never heard of Blueprint NC, you’re not alone. The semi-private group seems dedicated to keeping a low public profile
“Eviscerate the leadership and weaken their ability to govern.”
“Pressure McCrory at every public event.”
“Slam him when he contradicts his promises.”
“Private investigators and investigative reporting, especially in the executive branch…”
Blueprint NC also appears to be very well funded. The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, which was established in 1936 as a memorial to the youngest son of the founder of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, gave Blueprint NC $850,000 for “general operating support” in 2010.
The Foundation is apparently still giving Blueprint NC money—to the sum of $400,000, according to a report in Friday’s Observer.
However, due to the light being shined on Blueprint NC’s strategy (and, consequently, the Foundation), that support may now be in jeopardy:
Leslie Winner, executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, said she was “surprised and disappointed” by the actions of Blueprint North Carolina.
“(Z. Smith Reynolds) believes in robust debate on issues of public importance, (it) does not support attacking people,” Winner said. “We were disappointed to learn that Blueprint is advocating this strategy…
“We are taking this seriously. We are determining our options and our obligations. We will get to the bottom of it.”
The Foundation is providing $400,000 of Blueprint’s nearly $1 million budget, Winner said.
