Marking its 79th issue, Time’s Person of the Year 2006 is slated to hit newsstands on Christmas day. Sportsbook.com, the world’s largest online sportsbook and casino has opened odds on who will grace the cover of this coveted and often controversial issue of Time.
Time’s Person of the Year is an annual tradition that began in 1927 after Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight over the Atlantic. Over the years it has sparked controversy since it is often thought of as a reward, or accolade by the public and media. However, the issue merely profiles the man, woman, or idea that has most influenced the events of the past year, either positively or negatively. In the past, people and subjects such as Mahatma Gandhi, Adolf Hitler, John F. Kennedy, Ayatollah Khomeini, Bill Clinton, and the American Soldier have all captured the front page of Time’s annual edition. In 2005, the magazine took a philanthropist approach as Bill Gates, his wife Melinda, and U2’s Bono shared the cover.
At the front of odds makers’ list for potential candidates for this year’s edition is Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt at 9-2. Schmidt was recruited to help bring Google to the forefront of internet search engine software and has now made Google the single largest search engine in the world. The Google mogul, whose net worth is estimated at $5.2 Billion, has also recently joined Steve Jobs on the Apple board to take on Microsoft and reigning Person of the Year Bill Gates.
Another top candidate for the Time Person of the Year is former U.S. Vice President turned Environmental Guru Al Gore, with 5-1 odds. Gore, who lost the presidential election to two-time Person of the Year George W Bush in 2000, has reinvented himself as a champion of the environment. His critically acclaimed documentary An Inconvenient Truth has earned him a cult following and praise around the globe for its green message. Gore has also just been appointed as Advisor to UK Chancellor to the Exchequer Gordon Brown, who will likely succeed Tony Blair as the next Labour Party leader.
Also in the running for Time Person of the Year 2006 is CEO of Apple Computers Steve Jobs along with Global Warming and Mother Earth at 7-1. Jobs, the mastermind behind the iPod and iTunes, has revolutionized the computer industry and changed the way people listen to music. Jobs is recognized as a visionary who continues to push the computer in directions where Microsoft’s Bill Gates can only dream of going.
Global warming makes headlines everywhere these days with huge research studies warning us of the catastrophe that lies ahead if nothing is done. Even without a new Tsunami or hurricane the size of Katrina, the environment and climate change continue to weigh on people’s minds.
Potential controversial candidates exist in abundance as well. Few will argue the impact that leaders like North Korea’s Kim Jong-Il, Hamas’ Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah and Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have had on global politics this past year. Jong-Il and Nasrallah have been given 10-1 odds while Ahmadinejad is listed as a 20-1 long shot.
Recent Past Years – Time’s Person of the Year:
2005: Bill & Melinda Gates, Bono
2004: President George W. Bush
2003: The American Soldier
2002: The Whistleblowers: Cynthia Cooper of Worldcom, Sherron Watkins of Enron, Coleen Rowley of the FBI
2001: Rudolph Giuliani
2000: President-Elect George W. Bush
Odds to Win – Time’s Person of the Year 2006:
9-2: Eric Schmidt
5-1: Al Gore
7-1: Steve Jobs
7-1: Global Warming/ Mother Earth
8-1: Tony Blair
10-1: George W. Bush
10-1: Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah
10-1: Kim Jong-Il
12-1: Dick Cheney
14-1: Tony Snow
14-1: Madonna
14-1: Condoleezza Rice
15-1: The American Soldier
15-1: Hilary Clinton
16-1: The Iraqi People
20-1: The Islamic Insurgents
20-1: Angelina Jolie
20-1: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
25-1: Ken Lay & Jeffrey Skilling
25-1: Darfur Refugees
25-1: Mel Gibson
28-1: Tom Cruise
35-1: John T. Schiller
35-1: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
40-1: Moqtada Sadr
40-1: Ismail Haniyah
100-1: Bill Frist
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Source: Sportsbook.com
Al Gore with best odds????
Spark,
At 9-2 odds, Eric Schmidt has the best odds which is probably why the article states, “At the front of odds makers’ list for potential candidates for this year’s edition is Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt at 9-2.”
What is Bush doing in there?
Stupid and/or undeserving people/things on the list:
– Al Gore
– Global Warming/ Mother Earth
– Madonna
– Hilary Clinton
– Angelina Jolie
– Mel Gibson
– Tom Cruise
Hmmmmm, I say Steve Jobs, cause he is a lot more fun to talk about and he has been doing this for years.
JMHO
N.
Personally, it should go to Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah, someone trying to change real lives…
Gospel Truth
Global warming is stupid? If there was a sure threat of ‘terror’, it would be that.
STEVE JOBS:
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It hardly seems an award to be coveted if it will lower one to the ranks of George W. Bush.
Bush is on that list so Steve should avoid getting there
Not if this statement is checked for accuracy:
“It just works.”
What the hell has Steve Jobs done to be Person of the Year? A slight increase in Mac marketshare? The nano’s battery life getting a boost? Who gives a shit? …..Oh yeah, you guys whose penile arteries dilate and fill with blood at the mention of his name.
I would give it to the Darfur Refugee. Aside from what she/he has survived amidst total ignorance of the conflict, it might be the only chance left of getting this asshole of a world to pay attention before the Darfur Refugee no longer exists.
RMN
I don’t think it’s a case of lowering steve to the status of GWB: hitler and stalin are previous recipients! Also, however admirable giving it to the darfur refugee would be, it wouldn’t make any sense. The title is for the person who, for good or ill, has most affected the course of the year. The whole problem of the darfur refugee is that he *hasn’t* affected the course of the year.
i’d be in favour of steve getting it. nothing like a bit of press coverage for his holiness.
Baraka Bama is 2:1
go figure
People who should be on that list:
Keith Olbermann
The Jersey Girls
Dylan Avery
Alex Jones
Paul Thompson
Another useless popularity poll published by an ill-informed and biased bunch of self-described purveyors of social irrelevance.
Maczealot’s comments are golden.
MacZealot,
When did the writers at TIME ever describe themselves as purveyors of social irrelevance?
irrelevance is right. the fact that a murderous dictator like Hitler and anyone in the Nazi supporting Bush family can make a person of the year list makes it and the magazine that publishes it sensationalistic garbage.
“Jobs is recognized as a visionary who continues to push the computer in directions where Microsoft’s Bill Gates can only dream of going.”
What the writer really means is “…where Microsoft’s Bill Gates can’t even dream of going.” That’s the whole point: If Bill Gates could dream, Microsoft wouldn’t be Microsoft.
Steve Jobs dreams of what does not yet exist and has the drive and determination to turn his vision into reality, to “make it so.” Historically speaking, visionaries are not always in accord with their own times. More often than not, the opposite is true. What is really interesting about Steve Jobs is how perfectly in tune with the times his visions have turned out to be. What a great ride this is, for Steve Jobs and for anyone who cares to climb aboard.
Don’t get me wrong I’m no Al Gore fan but he would be a far sight better than the pure evil administration we have now. Okay maybe they’re not evil maybe they just want to make sure the prophecy comes true.
The top three odds are all on the board of directors at Apple
Yet the Microsoft devil STILL lives.
*shakes head*
@ Wiseass Bookie
Yep… you’re right. I jumped right to the list and didn’t the body of the story. Also, my original comment explains why I don’t gamble. The odds always confuse me.
BTW it’s Barack Obama!!! and I’m thinking 200-1
Hello? No Condi Rice? Please… Or how about any Press Secretary for ANY President. Sheesh, those people take absolute beatings by the media, which should be worth something, like even a chocolate bar or something….