The Person of the Year, instituted in 1927, is "bestowed by the editors on the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year." Obama was chosen as the 2008 Person of the Year following his historic election.
America's Favorite Idiot - Sarah Palin, comments on the irrelevance of Time magazine:
"Time magazine, you know, I think there is some irrelevancy there, to tell you the truth. I mean consider their list of the most influential people in the country and the world, some who have made that list — yours truly! that ought to tell you something right there regarding the credence that we should give Time magazine and their list of people."