The split predicate adjective.

Several years ago, my friend Kevin and I noticed that Newt Gingrich seemed particularly fond of the split predicate adjective.

For those of you who don't diagram sentences in your spare time, here's an example:

The Democrats' position is bizarre and grotesque.

or

Janet Reno is murderous and disgusting.

It seems that, literally, there WAS a memo.

The memo then provided two lists. One was a set of "Optimistic Positive Governing words and phrases to help describe" the GOP vision for the future; the other was a list of "Contrasting words to help you clearly define the policies and record of your opponent and the Democratic party."

[snip]

The positive words were hardly surprising; they included "caring," "freedom," "liberty," "moral," prosperity," and "strength. But the "contrasting words"--which GOPAC said should be applied to Democrats and their proposals--were rather hard-edged: "betray," "bizarre," "cheat," "corrupt," "destroy," "disgrace," "greedy," "incompetent," "intolerant," "radical," "shallow," "sick," and "traitors."

That, my friends, is strange and amusing.