'Time' Announces Finalists for 'Person of the Year'

danjoseph | December 8, 2015
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Time Magazine's annual '"Person of the Year'' choice is not a declaration by the publication of the individual who had the most positive global impact on the world over the last 12 months. Many people don't realize this. Historically, it is the person that Time's editors decide had the greatest overall impact on the world, regardless of whether it was positive or negative. Adolf Hitler was given the title in 1938. Joseph Stalin was named "Man of the Year" twice (1939 and 1942). In 1979, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini adorned the magazine's cover for his efforts in leading the Iranian Revolution. 

Despite these infamous title-holders, in recent years, Time has made an effort to bestow the title on less controversial figures, regardless of how much of an impact they have had on society. 

Time announced this year's finalists Monday and their choices could be among the most controversial in recent memory. Here are the eight finalists:

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi: Leader of ISIS.

Black Lives Matter Activists: Who have led anti-police protests throughout the country in response to what they view as an epidemic of police violence. 

- Caitlyn Jenner: The former Olympic gold medalist who came out as a transgendered woman and has undergone dramatic changes to her appearance.

Travis Kalanick: CEO of the "Uber" ride-sharing company.

Angela Merkel: Germany's prime minister who has been leading the struggle to keep the European Union together during an economic crisis and the unprecedented migration of Muslim immigrants to the continent due to the crisis in Syria. 

Vladimir Putin: Russia's president who defied world powers with his invasion of Ukraine and has played a central role in determining how the world will deal with the battle between ISIS and Syria.

Hassan Rouhani: Iran's president struck a deal with western powers that lifted sanctions on the Islamic State and came to a tentative agreement regarding the nation's development of its nuclear facilities. 

- Donald Trump: The controversial front-runner for the Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States.  

Not on the list was the winner of Time Magazine's Internet reader poll, Senator and Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Nor did Hillary Clinton or President Barack Obama make the final cut. 

All of these candidates have their supporters and detractors throughout the world. But all, whether directly or indirectly, have undeniably impacted millions of lives. Many have dominated the news cycle for months, sparking heated debates and passions among both their supporters and detractors.

Time's "Person of the Year" will be announced Wednesday on NBC's "Today."

So, what do you think? Which of these candidates had the greatest impact on the world over the last year?

 

 
Who Should Be Time's 'Person of the Year?'
Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi (ISIS)
"Black Lives Matter"
Caitlyn Jenner
Travis Kalanick (Uber)
Angela Merkel
Vladimir Putin
Hassan Rouhani
Donald Trump
Poll Maker
 
 
 
 
 
 
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