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Fire and Ice - Maureen Dowd  
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/opinion/sunday/dowd-fire-and-ice.html?ref=opinion

             This article is a comparison of Newt Gingrich and Barack Obama. Gingrich is the fire, Obama the ice, as the author runs with this metaphor and contrasts both politics and personalities.
             The diction of this piece is an interesting blend of extra-ordinarily educated and slang. Alternating between "pugilistic" and "weepy boy crush", the author comes to seem like a politics professor gleefully going off the book. This causes a slightly contradictory effect, perhaps it isn't the wisest to make this opinion your own, but you're dying for the chance to quote the article. Although the author does use diction to appear an Obamaddict, she is clearly disparaging of Gingrich. Notably, she calls Gingrich "Newt" frequently. This would mean less if his name was "Kevin", but let's face it, "Newt" sounds hilarious. Who names their kid "Salamander-like Amphibian"? This creates a condescending view of Gingrich.
              Similarly to the diction in this article, the language is a hybrid of class and slang. She draws upon popular culture to riff on the candidates and creates amusing monikers. Greek illusions are common, featuring references to Icarus, Mount Vesuvius, and Sparta. These clever slights and comparisons would fly by the uneducated, but when deployed successfully are laugh-bombs that also provide good cometary on the candidates.
                The author uses some particulary creative imagery. One such is "Nutty Newt is dancing a fandango on Mitt Romney’s head", effectively belittling both candidates in the most effective way: making them a joke. This humorous imagery can be decidedly more biting then some of the most incendiary language.