Via Salon– Esquire Magazine hired Erial Ali an ’empathic artist’ to create ‘soul portraits’ of Republican presidential hopefuls. See them here, if you dare.

The artist used Photoshop (some might say, abused Photoshop) achieving an effect only matched by Wonkette ragging on Peggy Noonan.

Ali does not say so, but it really seems that Sarah Palin can see the gilded onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow if she turns her head, and Newt Gingrich is juggling three pearls– his three marriages, perhaps? Is it that deep? I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder.