FOXNews.com: Soros-tied nonprofit faces funding loss after memo on plan to 'eviscerate' GOP leadership

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Soros-tied nonprofit faces funding loss after memo on plan to 'eviscerate' GOP leadership Feb 25th 2013, 18:11 A North Carolina nonprofit group that proposed using private investigators and other tough political-opposition tactics to "eviscerate" state Republican leaders now faces losing nearly half its funding, after the plans were uncovered last week.  Blueprint North Carolina, in a memo emailed to partner nonprofits and reported on last week by The Charlotte Observer, called for "crippling" Republican leaders and launching direct attacks on Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. "Pressure McCrory at every public event," Blueprint recommended, according to the confidential memo obtained by the newspaper. "Slam him when he contradicts his promises." In pointed language, the memo also called for "private investigators" and a "staff of video trackers" to follow targeted officials. "Eviscerate the leadership," the email reportedly said. The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, which reportedly is providing $400,000 of Blueprint North Carolina's $1 million in funding, now says it is consulting with a lawyer on how to move forward. Foundation Executive Director Leslie Winner said she's not sure whether Blueprint violated its tax-exempt status by getting involved in partisan politics. But the group at the very least exercised "bad judgment," she said, according to The Charlotte Observer. Winner said the foundation "believes in robust debate on issues of public importance" but does not support attacking people, according to The Observer.  "We will get to the bottom of it," added Winner, who did not respond Monday to questions from FoxNews.com about the foundation's funding decision. Blueprint North Carolina also did not return a request for comment.  Blueprint says its mission is to influence state policy so residents will "benefit from more progressive policies" such as better access to health care and a cleaner environment. However, the group also says all activities will be "strictly non-partisan" and that its charity status prohibits it from getting involved in political campaigns – for or against any candidate for public office. Executive Director Sean Kosofsky told The Observer that Blueprint is operating within its scope because its efforts are directed at elected officials, not political candidates. The memo also included talking points identical to language used by House Minority Leader Larry Hall in his response to McCrory's State of the State address, including that the governor's plan for charter schools "lacks accountability." Hall told the newspaper last week he's not sure where his language came from because he researches a variety of sources.

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