Barack Obama Named Time's 'Person of the Year'

What a year it has been for Barack Obama. First, he squeaks by establishment candidate Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic nomination for president, then he starts turning out record crowds across the country, holds a fabulous convention Denver, and ends up trouncing John McCain in the general election. How do you top that off? Well, in an announcement sure to surprise absolutely nobody, Obama has been named Time magazine's "Person of the Year."

What does this award actually mean? Well, consider past winners:

1998: Bill Clinton/Kenneth Starr
2000: George W. Bush
2001: Rudy Giuliani
2003: The American Soldier (pre Abu-Grahib pictures)
2004: George W. Bush
2005: Bill Gates
2006: You (gimmicky concept pick)
2007: Vladimir Putin

Essentially, Time enjoys rewarding success, however fleeting or dubious, and who doesn't like to read about winners, or watch Barbara Walters swoon over the most interesting people on the planet, or look at People magazine's "Sexiest people alive"? Still, Obama should take a moment to bask in the glory of Time's coveted cover shot. After all, this is only, what, the 11th time this year he has been there?

And really, who was the competition? Joe the Plumber, who is now cutting infomercials? Sarah Palin, who electrified the GOP faithful and turned off everybody else? It sure couldn't go to Henry Paulson, who gave away $350 billion of taxpayer money without asking for an itemized receipt. Nor was W. going to take the prize for a third time given all he has wrought.

Well, why let Time have all the fun. Let's hear your vote for person, and (to borrow Keith Olbermann's phrase) worst person of the year:







Worst Pundit of the Year
Worst Senate Subcommittee of the Year
Whiner of the Year
Who Time Didn't Consider