Let's see, Putin brings stability to his country. Profit in the form of oil exports. Value to the Rouble. Respect to a nation (alleged murders aside). Not too shabby. In that same time, the US economy has fallen, the dollar is shrinking, our imaged tarnished,and healthcare virtually gone. Don't fret though, our nations do have a couple of details in common, both present leaders stole the elections. Bush twice. And both have ties to their respective spy agencies. At least Putin did something constructive with his stolen election. Putin has my vote for POY.

yo its the same here you bush league hack

Bush is reaping what he has sown. An unstable world with two pre-emptive WARS with no end in sight. Putin thus emerges as the angry man that roused nationalistic fervor throughout Russia which has gone Anti-American.

Bush has the greatness to not only dream up a State of the Union address like AXIS-OF-EVIL speech but he dared deliver it because it suited his neo-con ideas of winning in IRAQ and rebuilding IRAQ with "IRAQ Oil money".

Where was Dr Rice then? Where is Dr Rice now. Salvaging what is left of the Middle East. Trying to BUILD any semblance of BUSH foreign policy legacy!!!

We are sitting on a powder keg of dynamite called BUSH who has the audacity to utter phrases like "World War III…,", a sitting President of the USA!!!!

Putin has to make the TIME cover for 2007!!! Time editor's are smart. Because a lot depends on Putin now!!!!

Has BUSH not done enough already!! Is he going to give us a WW III but for the CIA NIE report on Iran. Cheney "can not OUT" all the agents of the 16 Intelligence communities that go into making the NIE report!!!!

May GOD save our nation and the world till January 2009.

We NEED the CLINTONS in the White House to put our country and the world back in order.

I know, Putin is such a scumbag! It's a good thing we didn't have a hand in putting him into power! …oh, wait… We DID!

Yes Putin made an impact in 2007, but he didn't free Afganistan from the Taliban or free Iraq from Sadam, he sat by and watched….the US Military is not perfect but they put their lives on the line to defend free people everywhere!

To all those fulminating about Time — the point of "Person of the Year" is not to endorse someone, it's simply to pick the person who's had the greatest influence. The fact that it's Putin — and it's an accurate choice — is an indictment of our failures, not a celebration of Putin. No point getting mad about it — do everything you can to get even instead. And not with Time, but rather with Putin himself.

Poor Mittens. He lost me at "Double Guantanamo". Add this "Man of the Year" comment to the list of things I've heard this campaign season that keep pushing me left.

Look at all ya'll getting so worked up about Mitt and McCains opinion about a Magazines opinion that has zero impact or relevance on anything. Oh the love… Merry Christmas to you all.

This will probably not be posted now because I wished you all Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you to CNN.

to "Posted By Thomas" talk about a temper tantrum, your verbiage goes on and on putting down others that disagree with your view, yet most of the postings on this subject are very level headed, on both sides. If you do not see the reasoning behind Time Magazines reasoning maybe you should reread the criteria they use.

You seem to only see one side, instead of actually challenging your mind to look at both sides and make a decision all your own, rather than only listening to party line item thoughts. Before you say it, yes, I ask my own party to take this tact, if one does not fully think out their decisions on issues they end up sounding like these two yahoos who have insulted a nations leader before they are even in office. How do you walk up to a person to discuss world issues if you have already insulted him and called him down? Put yourself in this scenario, you are about to meet with someone that has publicly scolded you, what would your opinion be of that person? Think before you speak, first rule of diplomacy.

Jen in Cedar Falls, Ia: Well, that makes three of you that agree with Romney and McCain on how they handled this issue. I don't know about "hating" Bush, though. Maybe, being "educated" also means being able to see him for what he really is, and what his real agenda is,not just being an apologist for him and his administration.It will take many generations to get over the messes that Bush has made, and I can truthfully say that I am very ANGRY with your hero, G.W. Bush. And, it's too bad you're unable to see the truth of all of this.

Mitt Romney is ignorant in his opposition to Putin being Time's man of the year. Putin is a much better leader than our president and Putin has the respect of his nation and of other world leaders. Most of the faults Romney slams Putin for can also be attributed to George Bush. If Romney is appalled I am even more appalled that we haven't impeached Bush.

Posted By Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM : December 19, 2007 7:32 pm

Tom day after day you babble on about nothing…If you really believe Putin is more Respected than GW than you are sicker in the head than previously thought…Please Seek HELP

I'll bet you wish you could grow the economy at 7% annually, huh? If only it were that easy. It takes a lot of smarts to do that.

No, it takes an idiot to do so. Rapid growth rates have HISTORICALLY PROVEN to be unstable. Growing too fast continues to cause most economic relapses. The US economy is well regulated for growth rate, Russia's GDP is mainly from tapping it's natural resources. The US is still waiting to tap it's oil on both coasts and Alaska. I would worry very little about the state of the economy if I were you. These tribulations are very short term problems. Unless we make more stupid legislation like regulating gas mileage beyond the limits of basic energy balances (Ethanol costs more energy than it saves!).

By the way, the next President will not have to deal with Vladimir Putin as a head of state. His term expires May 2008 and he cannot run again.

Posted By Kerry, San Jose, CA

Pay attention. Putin's term as President of Russia will expire in May 2008. He has all but assured the election of his protege, Dimitry Medvedev, who returned the favor by promising to make Putin the prime minister of Russia if he's elected. When the next U.S. president deals with Russia, he or she will be dealing with Vladimir Putin, even if he happens to call himself Dimitry Medvedev on occasion.

"OK Mitt….here's your quote:
"He has squelched public dissent and free press".
The exact same thing that the Bush regime has done to their oppontents. Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black?"

Got proof of Bush doing that?

I would rather have Putin as Man of the year than Neo-con fascist Bush or Romney, at least Putin is honest about his politics, Bush and the rest of the neo-con fascist pretend to support democracy, Ha Ha Ha Ha, what a joke.

If I read the articles and heard the interviews correctly, the choice was based on the individual having had the greatest impact over the past year. Although I may disagree with some of his policies, Mr. Putin is an individual of whom we should all be more aware. As previously stated, it's not the individual who does the most good - or for that matter the one who has the most money - but the individual who has had the greatest impact. Russia is back in play - big time - and we need to be conscious of that.

Time magazine must be loving all these comments. Gives them publicity for a magazine tradition that died long ago.

I love how people in there bashing comments put the negative of putin with bush and then put the negative of bush with romney. Makes a whole lot of sense?!?!

Though I don't think I would have taken Patreus as man of the year I definately wouldn't have taken Putin. Regardless, Romney and McCain have always thought about the United States first and foremost.

Romney comes off as an American who is conservative in beliefs like the Republican party but doesn't have all the other foreign Policy problems that most republicans do. He works for the people of the country first and foremost. I like that!

Time Magazine has their own criteria for their "Person of the Year". I couldn't care less–it sure wasn't me, and it sure wasn't you Mr. Romney.

Fact is, your comments and other GOP are not part of the public discourse–do you think "if you are elected President" (like the moon is made of green cheese…) your public comments related to Mr. Putin may make political discourse with him, or Russia just a tad more difficult?

Truthfully, I've seen leaders put more thought into putting on their socks–than you or the "quick shot" artists of the GOP–have given to discrediting an allied world leader and business associate of the United States.

Are we back into the cold war? Some of the things our current President has done on the U.S. and world stage–could be viewed similarly in other countries. I do hope their leaders have a little more self control–than you and some of the other candidates have shown. What a dope!!

Is Bill from Blooington, IL (10:11am) for real? Guess which way he is voting in the upcoming election?

Who wants to stand by Bill, and vote the way he does, and celebrate another 4+ years of lieing, backsliding, failure? Who wants to vote to continue sending America back to the Dark Ages? Then step up and join the [R]-bots in their holy quest to re-formulate our country, while you hypocritically wrap yourself in the flag and consitution!

Time magazine trys to sell their rag. This type of pick works. Why should a business decision surprise anyone?

I'm not fond of Romney, but some of the comments below just sound ignorant. I have to agree with Romney's comment regarding Time Magazine's choice to title Putin "Man of the Year." I can think of at the very least, 10 people better suited to hold that position and Putin is NOT one of them.

"He has squelched public dissent and free press. And to suggest that someone like that is the Man of the Year is really disgusting. I'm just appalled." Mitt-the-Nitt

Switch in 'president of the US' for 'Man of the Year' in the above, and you will see, Mitt, exactly how over 1/2 of this country feels….about something much more important that a silly magazine's recognition. And by the way, that same feeling will linger if you happen to make it to the white house, Mitt. Its about both you, Mitt, and a journalism/media that no longer does its job. The dumbing-down of America runs apace, and the Karlidiots on the 'right' are loving it.

I agree,
Putin is a much better leader than our president and Putin has the respect of his nation and of other world leaders.
Which is such a contrast to our president who's approval rating is at an all time low. Keep spending that 10 billion per month on the Iraq war!

"… our general [Petraeus] who has brought success in Iraq.” If this is what success is, I wonder how McCain defines failure.

No, Mitt - what is disgusting is that you say you are pro-life, yet support the torturing of detainees in Cuba. Isn't it ironic that at the same time the DoD releases tapes of Iraqi torture chamber images, the CIA is destroying tapes of USA torture chambers? Shame on you and all the hyprocrites who are running on "morality" yet have no sense of what that is!

I want to let every person that agrees with what Romney says know, that you are not smart.

For the last time, Time does not give this out as a honor, but who has impacted society the most.

Please read the folg. article and you will understand why Putin is the man of the year!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/07/AR2007120701617.html

By the way, Putin's approval rating in Russia is mote than 70% whereas Bush's is less than 30%.

Only a complete and total ignorant full would compare the actions of Bush to the actions of Putin. I have yet to see any presidential candidates thrown in jail on trumped up charges. Also no civil liberties have yet to be taken away. Not to mention the fact that when it comes to elections in the US there is actual competition between the two parties unlike the massive domination of politics by one party in Russia with absolutely no other party capable of winning.

Name one time where we have refused to give visas to another country to come and monitor our elections and you might have a point. However as usual those who are so blinded by their hate of Bush can't logically comprehend the idiocy of the comparison of Bush and Putin.

"Chimpy McSmirkster". I love it. Classic!

Mitt Romney and John McCain are so ignorant of the fact that Putin has succeded Russia from great depression imposing lots of reforms. During 1998 for almost 10 years the Russian rubble has devalued so much that people have alsmost lost their entire life savings. And now with Putin in power he has regained the value of the rubble and brought prosparity to the country. He certainly deserves the credit. And look at what Bush has done to this country! The gap between rich and poor has widened, deficis are at record level, our national debt has gone from 1 trillion to 9.1 trillion, illegal war has drained all the resources, and constitution is been trampled. And still Romney and McCain still consideres Bush as a great leader to get votes from their conservative base. The problem with some voters that they don't read and do not know what is happening ourside US. Wake up America and make a big change in 2008. We don't need people like Romney-McCain-Guliani who are following Bush.

Gen. David Petraeus????

BWA HAHA HAHA HA HA HA HA!!!

That is too funny!

I'd support Petraeus as Man of the Year; by lying to the American people, he showed us just how deep in the pockets of the neocons we've all fallen.

You liberals are unbelievable. Do you really think Putin believes in equality? Do you really think people in Russia respect him? World leaders respect him too? To top it all off, you blame George W. Bush for everything, instead of attacking Putin for his arrogant assault against democracy. I find it amusing that you Dems refuse see that people like Putin, Chavez, and numerous radical Muslim terrorists utilize the same rhetoric as Clinton, Obama and Edwards. Interesting, isn't it?

apparently Romney is too dumb to comprehend what the "person of the year" award actually means: it's given to someone who has had a great impact on the world, or who is important in some key way. Sometimes it is an accolade, but other times it is not. Mr. Romney should brush up on his history, and see that Time chose Adolf Hitler as Man of the Year once, back in the day. What a moron.

"He's an honest, straightforward man who loves his country. He loves his family. We share a lot of values. I view him as a remarkable leader. I believe his leadership will serve Russia well"

George W. Bush speaking about Putin June, 2001.

Ooopsie…yet another thing a Republican said that turned out not to be true. Can't they just get one thing right?

This is exactly why I would never vote for a man like Mitt Romney. He is completely clueless. He also panders to the general uninformed public.

Time Magazine has chosen many controversial people since they first started making the choice back in 1927.

Time Magazine chose Adolph Hitler as man of the year in 1938. They also chose Joseph Stalin twice, Nikita Khrushchev, and Ayatollah Khomeini.

The Man of the Year, or Person of the Year since women have been chosen as well, is not at all a popularity contest or a touchy feel hug fest. It is a person who has had a lasting impact on the world community.

No matter. Mitt will fade into obscurity after the primaries are over.

Oh silly Willard!

Those same traits you bash have been personified by Time's 2004 "Man of the Year"…George W. Bush.

It's about who was most newsworthy not who is most moral.

2001 was the biggest joke when Rudy one. Bin Laden, though a complete scumbag, won hands down that year–that is, if Time consistently applied it's criteria.

Really Bill, don't be daft. Time is not backing communism at all - they are just saying that Putin shaped the news the most in the past year. As much as I groaned when I read that Romney and McCain wanted Petraeus, they might have been right. His failed policies in Iraq have crippled America financially and diplomatically even more - not to mention the cost of American lives.

Obviously Romney has no clue about Person of the Year criteria. The criterion for Person of the Year is not about who has done 'good.' Its about who has had the most influence good or bad throughout 2007, period. While Petraus has had a great influence on that fiasco in Iraq his worldwide influence does not even come close to Putin (whom I personally dislike). Maybe when Mitt realizes this he can flip flop his position as usual.

TIME? Who really gives a rodent's rectem?

RONALD REAGAN WOULD HAVE SAID THE SAME THING.

Glenn Beck. Wasn't he a 2nd baseman for the Cubs back in the 60's, no wait, that was Glenn Beckert. Who the hell is Glenn Beck anyway? Oh, another admittedley biased neocon with no qualifications that a supposed "impartial news" network allows to spew his right wing propoganda. Oh, and yes, Romney is so transparent in jumping on this. Where is the flag in the background and the Pledge of Alleginace being recited as he talks?

Romney still has my vote. I couldn't fathom electing Barack or Hilary, both have only legislative work experience.

Guliani stood up to organized crime as a prosecuting attorney, even as they called for hits on his life. Plus, he did clean up New York.

Yet Romney still has the core values of market freedom and self-sustainability. A successful businessman may be the type we need in office, not idealogical pundits.

Sure Putin choice is disgusting. It should have been AL GORE. Go Hillary 08!

Terrible blunder by Romney. IF he wins, this will be a major media talking point every time he interacts with the Russian government.

For Patrick in Denver:

In May 1999 Bush addressed the Texas House and Senate and uttered these famous words, "there ought to be limits to freedom."
Since that time he has done everything he can to take away freedoms and emasculate The Constitutional provisions of The Bill of Rights.
Do some of your own research and you will also learn that he is a spiteful, demogogic, mean-spirited, law breaking individual who would be an ex-con right now if it wasn't for daddy. At least G. H. W. Bush has some sense and the ability to reason. Dumbya has no positive quality that has ever been specifically pointed out by anyone.
Have a great life and keep buying those rose-colored glasses,
Bob

I am from one of the former USSR countries. Putin is VERY popular in Russia. He is more popular in former USSR states then local presidents. Russia has 10 mln illegal immigrants from there. To understand that you need to know Russian 1990's. Putin was good for Russia so far. His "political opponents" and "dissidents" are losers who collapsed Russia in 1990's whom russians really hate.
Surprise: Putin cares about Russian interests. God bless America with an educated and smart president who would care about american economy and american people, not japanese, not chinese, not iraqi… Russia is #1 importer of american chicken, Chevy is the best selling foreign car in Russia and Ford's sales grew 70% in Russia this year and Russian auto market is becoming largest in Europe. It is 2nd oil exporter, etc. Mr.Romney, better think how to keep Detroit car plants from closing. God save America from stupid presidents.

The "Freedom of Speech" police at CNN deleted my message, so here it is again:

I agree with Governor Romney's sentiments; Time Magazine's selection of former KGB despot Vladmir Putin is disgraceful yet not a 'shock'.

The entries in this blog by liberals are absolutely laughable; like a stubborn child who is throwing a temper tantrum (and needs a spanking), many Democrats REFUSE to acknowledge the improving conditions in Iraq due to General Patraeus' military leadership and President Bush's tenacity to squash the bloodthirsty, intolerant terrorists.

Liberals want to throw the baby out with the bath water; their hatred for President Bush is paramount, regardless of the ramifications it may have on our nation and our military.

Just yesterday a true TORTURE HOUSE (established by the terrorists) was discovered by our brave troops north of Baghdad. No, not water boarding or sleep deprivation; poor souls who were chained up, tormented with electric shock, and then shot in the head.

Is President George W. Bush perfect? No, the man has made errors, but he has prevented terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since 09/11/2001. Success is NEVER an accident.

God bless our brave troops overseas, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of them.

Beck interrupted him and read a quote from Time that explained why Putin was chosen, and it was praising Putin for bringing stability to Russia, etc., NOT because he was simply influential.

Posted By Scott, Muncie, IN

Ironically, Beck read a quote from Time that itself was chosen out of context. The bit about bringing stability was only the second clause of a sentence. The full sentence: "At significant cost to the principles and ideas that free nations prize, he has performed an extraordinary feat of leadership in imposing stability on a nation that has rarely known it and brought Russia back to the table of world power."

The rest of Time's reasoning repeats that idea — that Putin has brought stability to his country, but he's also squashed lots of civil liberties to do that. I don't think either can be denied, and I don't find that flattering. And the POY article itself isn't really flattering, either.

Time makes it clear they are NOT "praising" Putin. Romney is basically saying, I understand it's not an honor, but I wish they wouldn't honor him this way. It doesn't make sense.

Romney is absolutely right. Soviet monsters from Stalin, to Trotsky, to Khruschev, to Andropov have been darlinings of the cretinous left for decades. In the 30's and 40's you couldn't find New York "intellectual" who didn't think each was the Second Coming. They were all, of course, common thugs and murders. The New York Times is a national joke. You could fit the intelligence of Frank Rich and Maureen Down and Paul Krugman on a pinhead.

Mr. Romney needs to get over himself.There is more that goes on in the world than just what happens with regards to the United States.

My understanding is that Time chooses the person who has the most impact on the world in the last year (good or bad)just one more example of how the Republicans think they are the be all and end all, perhaps one should contemplate that if the United States had not engaged in a war under false pretense General Petraeus would not have the aweful mess to clean up that he has.

Mitt, did you read the criteria for TIME POY before you made this asinine comment? If you can't understand and interpret that, how can you be expected to understand and interpret the Constitu… oh, ok, now I get it!

Romney knows perfectly well what the Time Magazine designation "Man of the Year" signifies, but he also knows that many voters do not. It is his constant use of these kind of appeals to the ignorant that will prevent me from ever voting for him. He should go back to what he is very good at. Driving profitable business at the expense of everything else.

These people intentionally misunderstand the Time choice. It is not about who does the most good, but who was the most important figure of the year. Time is wrong every year, and this year is no different, but Romney's reaction is manufactured and fake. Some possible choices for Man of the Year might be Al Gore, who came in second, or perhaps Pervez Musharaff.

So what if Time backs Communism and lack of freedoms? That is their choice. If you believe in freedom, dont read Time magazine.

Mitt Romney just lost any chance of my vote for the presidency. Its ignorance and blindness such as this that has turned out country into a joke on the global stage. And what if he does become president? Now he's on record as condemning Putin - how is he supposed to gain credibility with the man on foreign affairs? Like it or not Russia is here to play.

The person of the year designation is not about who is the sweetest, kindest, holiest person. It's about who has had the most impact on the WORLD (that means more than just the United States), good or bad. Mr. Romney's "disgusting" comment was ignorant. The only people qualified to comment on Mr. Putin's character are those who have met him face-to-face. As for Gen. Petraeus, he won't deserve the honor givento Mr. Putin until Iraqis are as well-off as the Russians.

An unproductive, thoughtless remark, that makes him equally unqualified to conduct foreign policy as George Bush. How might he expect to negotiate an arms control agreement with Putin with such rhetoric in the background? CK

When I read stories such as yours, I am deeply troubled. The candidates running for president are vying to occupy an important WORLD position, not just the oval office. Time chose Putin, not as a popularity contestant, but as someone who has made an impact on the world stage - be it bad or good. Putin HAS changed the world, far more than your General has. I realize that your candidates are trying to garner favor from their constituency… but I am troubled when they display ignorance and narrow-mindedness. I have no say in your election, but I shudder when I contemplate the choices you make.

Great! This is just how we want to start off with a new presidency, by further alienating ourselves from Russia. I can already see this backwoods fool will only alienate us more from the rest of the world. It will be interesting if this moron, er Mormon, gets elected (God help us) and he meets with "disgusting" Putin for the first time. How awkward would that be?

It's this kind of chest beating that needs to be eliminated from our foreign policy. Once again, the conservative candidates prove that they do not belong on a world stage without a net. I think Putin was the choice, not for his humanity, but for his impact on the world. Like it or not, he has re-directed the focus of our relationship with Russia. He may not be a nice human being, but he has demonstrated he is an influencial one.

Tom from Albuquerque and John from Connecticut said it all and saved me some time typing. DITTO, at least the Russians can be proud more than I can say for being an American right now!

It seems Mr. Romney is among the many people who don't understand that TIME's "Person of the Year" designation is NOT AN AWARD. It's nothing more than the magazine's opinion of the person who, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, most impacted world events during the year. Past designees have included Hitler, Stalin, Kruschev, etc.

Atta boy Mitt! Your comment really sends a positive signal for setting up a dialogue with a major world leader even before your elected - NOT!
It's this kind of shooting from the hip comments that by Dubya and his crew that has the US held in such low esteem worldwide and all you've managed to do is keep the string alive.
I was forming the opinion that you were the best GOP candidate for the international world political stage but you just blew it…

Sounds like he's talking about george Bush

Mitt just doesn't get it. "Person of the Year" has nothing to do with positive impact (he should refer to the Nobel Peace Prize recipients for that). Instead, Time chooses the person who has had (or is likely to have) lasting impact on the global community. I think their's was a perfect choice…albeit a little scarey.

Further, callingt he choice disgusting begs the notion that the US still needs to deal with Russia as a force to recon with. Is he advocating a new line of "evil empire" rhetoric?

I agree Romney is showing ignorance of Time's rationale here, not to mention a willful ignorance of our own government's actions when it comes to curtailing civil liberties and ignoring the laws around prisoner detentions. 'Tis the season to pander.

Certainly Mitt Romney is entitled to his opinion (as he should as a candidate for POTUS). However, just like so many others have already noted, the TIME Magazine person of the year is not always Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny - sometimes the person is a bit more controversial than that… perhaps the next POTUS should be aware that we live in a world where sometimes bad things happen. It honestly scares me that someone like Romney could occupy the Oval Office and add another 4 years of backward thinking.

When I see comments such as this from Mitt Romney, it reminds me how fortunate we are to live in a country that enjoys and embraces freedom of the press. I applaud Time's choice and International view of the world we all live in. Mr. Romney's views are very unfortunate for a man who professes to be prepared to lead our Nation. He is clearly not prepared to do so. His views and potential policies are extraordinarily myopic and potentially dangerous to U.S. interestes.

Romney - what a knee jerk idiot - he obviously doesn't get it.

When is the last time anyone was happy with the Iraq war? Petraeus might be doing a good job, but he is guilty by association. Furthermore, when WAS the last time Bush had a 70% approval rating?

If Putin's personality and traits are questionable for man of the year…what about GW Bush
don't forget he has made up his own version of the constitution,put the US in debt for generations to come! Every facet of his crooked government has come into question(list is too long to mention)
His intellect is even in doubt now,
what little "brain" he did have left the white house about 6 weeks ago!

Success in Iraq? If Time Magazine awarded 'Man Of The Year' to anyone even remotely associated with the war in Iraq I would cancel my subscription for life.

it's not as though Time's choice reflects the best (moral/ethical) person for person of the year, but rather the individual who's impact has been most significant. While I'd still agree there may have been other suitable candidates, it is the very negatives Mr. Romney points out which make President Putin so interesting and a suitable choice.

Stop blustering and know what you're talking about.

Does Mitt Romney think TIME was electing the prom king? The Person of the Year does not have to be someone popular, likeable, benevolent, or American.

Personally, I was pleased to see a choice that reflected a critical thought process and analysis of world affairs, as opposed to a popularity contest. Vladimir Putin is brilliant, ruthless, dangerous…and effective. He's made Russia a world power again and has found a way to continue his leadership indefinitely. The next U.S. president will need to step carefully around Putin's Russia.

Romney and McCain, on the other hand, seem to view the Person of the Year designation as an opportunity to have a pep rally. Maybe after the primaries, they'll have time to sign my yearbook.

Felipe Calderon, Hugo Chavez, Alberto Gonzalez, Pervez Musharraf, Benazir Bhutto, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would also have been insightful choices. My own choice, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, was admittedly absent from most of the 2007 media coverage. But then again, so was most of Africa.

I can't say that I am 'disgusted'. After all, the man has been successful in turning Russia back into a powerful nation. The one thing I did get a kick out of was the 'success in Iraq' comment. Until we bring our soldiers home and cease to have them fighting and dying in order to pad certain people's pockets, I wouldn't call what we're doing in Iraq successful!

Do mormons get upset when Romney defends his faith by never mentioning the word 'mormon'?

E. C., Houston, Texas,

Go live in Iraq!

I hear it's really "booming" this time of year - thanks to Dubya.

The "Person of the Year" is not necessarily someone who "does good," but someone who makes an impact on the world stage, positive or negative. Al Gore should have been named "Person of the Year" - certainly NOT General Petraeus.

I pull up CNN in the mornings hoping to be pleasantly surprised by something. Sadly, this narrow-minded comment from Romney does not surprise me. The title of Time's Man of the Year is not meant to be an award or an honor. It's an acknowledgment of someone's influence and power over the past year, and for better or for worse, Putin has displayed that. By my standards, his actions in many cases have been deplorable, I agree, but that's not part of the criteria for Man of the Year. Last year, the title went to "You," and I think most of us can agree we didn't deserve that. In past years, both President Bushes and Adolf Hitler have also received the title of Time's Man of the Year. I believe I rest my case. This choice and the article bring to light some facts about Putin and Russia that Americans were not educated enough about. The wise American ought to be happy to have this information handed to them.

Richard in St. Paul: "I wish he'd take his Ku Klux Klan mentality and go crawl in a hole"

Drew in Rochester: "I don't think that General Betray-Us deserves recognition."

Funny, the media has always told us that the right has the monopoly on extreme rhetoric in this country.
The vitriol on the left is what will prevent the Dems from winning in '08.

Come on some people , read ( think ) some before you write . Man of the Year is NOT an award for goodness but some (probably the same foolish 20 some percent that think bu$h is great )keep up posting the same false outrage over " why was this dictator awarded this distinction ? " Sheesh !!! How many more asshats are going to make a comment like "They gave this award to Hitler right ? "

It's not a question of whether a person makes the most positive or most negative news. What is appalling is that Time seems to always show these dark figures in a favorable light by giving them a human quality. If you actually read the article Time wrote, you would get the same impression. And, interestingly, in 1939 they gave a largely positive impression of Adolph Hitler.

It's not any wonder that mainstream media continue to lose readership and viewership at a phenomenal rate, and that their credibility seems to continue a downward spiral as well.

1. Our general hasn't "brought success in Iraq." What is McCain talking about? 2. Putin has taken his country by the reigns, has transformed it for the better and commands the respect of his people. 3. With respect to mysterious killings, no nation has presided over, or been responsible for more deaths (civilian or military) than the United States. TIME magazine has made a superb choice.

Who cares about Time? I only get Time if it comes to me free though some other offer. Time claims that their Person of the Year (POY) has some true relevance, but it is all B.S. Time loves to claim past winners such as Martin Luther King represent what the Person of the Year is about about. But any thinking person knows that Time use to call this selection process, Man of the Year and some past recipients were Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. If Time was truly an independently and fair-minded magazine, which they claim to be, Osama bin Laden would have been Person of Year in 2001. Instead Time chose Rudy Giuliani, which only shows how weak and irrelevant Time's claim of POY.

It has been said many times - the Person of the Year, as chosen by Time magazine, is a person who has had a major influance in the past year good or bad. Instead of Romney blasting the magazine for picking a controversial leader, perhaps he should have simply commented on how his leadership would differ from Putin. McCain's comment is simply playing more to his base, as although Petraeus has certainly affected world events, how Putin is reshaping Russia is a much bigger story right now.

guys, guys, guys….Mitt is only expressing an opinion…just like how some of you express disgust by the simple uttering of Bush.

in the end, our ability to hate each other without resulting to violence is what makes America great.

Ok, everybody, let's sing America.

George Bush rode around in Putin's antique Trabant.

Putin should throw Mitt under the Trabant, if he ever visits.

Romney's an idiot. I wish he'd take his Ku Klux Klan mentality and go crawl in a hole.

Two words that sum up Romney's take on this:

Plastic
Knucklehead

I'm not a huge Mitt Romney fan, but I wholeheartedly agree with his sentiments on Time magazine's choice for "Man of the Year." It's not only disgusting, it's shameful. I knew that magazine was completely out of touch with reality - I just didn't realize it would stoop so low as to elevate a man whom most people I talk to consider dangerous & frightening.

Don't these fools understand that the Time designation is not an endorsement but rather just a recognition that the Person of the Year has had a substantial impact, good or bad?

Could be worse. Time could have picked George W. Bush again. UGH!

Last time I checked, one didn't have to do something good to be Time Magazine's Man of the Year.

With past choices like Hitler it does not really surprise me on this choice. Still I was thinking it should have been Barry Bonds for breaking the homerun record.

As an America and I do love my country, these so called idiots running for President are going to get us killed.
Romney, from the sound of it didn't even read the article.

How would we feel if the Russians decided that they needed a missle defense system on the border with either Mexico or Canada. Gen. Petraeus is just a clean up man. Sure it's easy to go blow up a country and then say sorry. Once the American people read into the crap that Bush and all of his buddies are feeding us and demand change and I don't mean voting for a new President,
only then will things change. Iraq was not the problem but yet we went in did what we do best, now we have to clean up a mess.

I think that this country needs younger blood running it, by that no one over 52 in government. It's the old school political process that's messing it up for young generations. At this point there is no one who has enough sense to run this country and if they do, they will run it into the ground. Just because your old doesn't mean you have the experience to lead the country!

Wake up America! If everybody demanded peace instead of a new television, there would be peace-JL

I don't see the issue… Time has picked villians before, as in former President Clinton, twice…

Poor ole Mitt, he's just sorry he didn't get it. Putin, scary or not, has, is and will excert a huge amount of influence on the world stage. It's beginning to look like Romney won't.

Putin is more interesting than Romney and McCain slapped together. General Petraeus is a monkey for the current administration. Why would anyone nominate him for man of the year. I am disgusted with the current state of this country and its political process.

Why is Putin person of the year?

Because over the past few years - with Russia preparing to go into the dustbin of history; he picked it up, turned it around and thrust Russia back onto the world stage. And then made arrangements so that he will have power near indefintely. That's pretty important…

The US is *not* the center of the universe - we live on a world with a BUNCH of other people. TIME's Person of the Year is basically a shout of "look at what this guy is doing".

Putin is slowly, gradually rebuilding a superpower. That is a *big* deal - more important than a two bit war in the middle east, and nearly as important as globsl climate change.

Sadly, I think within 20 years, the main superpowers will be Russia and China, with he US playing the role of the fading lion. Why?

Because we can't be bothered to get our OWN house in order. We're are speending a vast amount of our nation's wealth and prosperity elsewhere - instead of using it HERE - where *we* need it.

Look at the Katrina cleanup. Why is it that we are spending more money rebuilding IRAQ than we are rebuilding our OWN destroyed cities and towns?

I wasn't planning on voting for either Mitt or McCain. This just solidifies that some more…

Sorry Mitt, they didn't pick you. Jealous much?

While sending your adversaries to prison is wrong its only different by degree when compared to President Bush getting rid of General Shinseki who was NOT an adversary, but one of our top military leaders. That Bush was not even considered for Time "Man of the Year" at least shows some are "getting it".

What hallucinogen are these candidates taking? The U.S. hasn't ever squelched public oppinion and opposition? The U.S. hasn't ever imprisoned political prisoners? The U.S. isn't behind heinous, suspicious murders?
Vladimir Putin has put Russia back on the map as a major global player–full of determination and hutzpah, and, cold, calculated nationalism.
I wish we had a leader more like him….
As for McCain's comments: Success in Iraq? Nearly 4,000 of our soliders are dead. They died in vain to assuage a bug up Bush's butt.
–R.Westerfield
Bakersfield, Calif.

This clowns don't get that the person of the year isn't a popularity contest. It is the person who has most influenced the world for good or bad. Hitler was on the cover twice. If these "candidates" can't even grasp that concept…

Romney another MINDLESS loser!

OUR democracy seems to be turning into a money maker for the
politicans! .. who use our people for money and cannon fodder!

We voice our majority views ..over and over ..about the …FAILED…
BUSH administration and nothing continues to happen! …WHY…?
Is this a democracy? Letting a Dumb administration RUIN our country!
We put them in..office….>……LET’S GET THEM OUT! >We need political sincerity for our people!

Disgusted army vet! ..who wants America’s jobs / respect back!

For all of Bush's many, many faults, he actually has a relationship with Putin. On the fluke chance that Romney gets elected, he is going to have some 'splaining to do right off the bat.

I love how just because the man wasn't American, he couldn't be a hero. The man of the year must be the one in charge of a bloody war. And tyo Mr McCain, were is the success? Putin may be a little controversial, but I respect a man that has done everything that he has done, and really stands up for his countries beliefs, and does not back down, even from the USA.

Even if you agree with Romney, what a stupid thing to say. We are in need of a leader that can bering people together to fight the real war on terrorism, not an idiot calling the leader of another country names. If anyone had talked about the shrub in this manor they rightwingnuts would go crazy.

What has Betray us actualy accomplished? Nothing. He lead the greatest army in the world through the "surge" and they kicked ass. DO you think Betrayus should get the credit for the succes of our troops? I am sure any general could have taken the addtional troops and kicked as on the ground, we have done that since the war started. Our troop have always been overpoweing and beaten back every threat they have ever faced in Iraq. The problem arises wheitht idiots like Bush woh do not realize that sending in more troops and taking sides inthe civil war does nothing more than quelch the violence. Nothing has been fixed or improved. It is all political theatre with empty resolutions being passed on as results. Anyone who thinks we are "succeeding" in Iraq has no business running for ANY political office.

Time's Man of the Year is usually someone who has a profound impact on world events, not necessarily for the good. Didn't TIME also refer to Putin as "scary?" Of course, Mitt Romney neglected to say that.

Rumblee is exhibiting extremely poor judgment here. One, were he to become president, we will have to deal with the alienation he has caused, the rift between the leaders and countries that he has created. Two, his promotion of Petraeus is such obvious politicking that there is no way to take Ramblee seriously, no way to trust that he will ever make judgments based on sincerity and intelligence; his judgments will always be just politicking.

Anomaly is just a rich fake. God help us if he becomes the next Republican president of the Divided Republican States of America.

Romney another loser! MINDLESS!

OUR democracy seems to be turning into a money maker for the
politicans! .. who use our people for money and cannon fodder!

We voice our majority views ..over and over ..about the …FAILED…
BUSH administration and nothing continues to happen! WHY…?
Is this a democracy? Letting a Dumb President dominate and RUIN our country!

We put them in..office….>……LET’S GET THEM OUT! >We need political sincerity for our people!

Disgusted army vet! ..who wants America’s jobs / respect back!

I agree with many comments here, with regards to Romney's ignorance of the Person of the Year's guidelines.

And this guy wants to be President? If he can't even understand something as basic as Time's requirements for this award, how can anyone consider him a legitimate candidate?

If nothing else, he has proved he is the master of pandering.

However, with the dissent that exists within the GOP, it seems that party is intent on immolating themselves by choosing an unelectable, radical right-wing candidate. I never thought I would view Bush as being even remotely rational, but the present GOP possibilities cause one to think so, if only for a moment.

"…my man of the year is one Gen. David Petraeus, our general who has brought success in Iraq.”

One man's measure of success is another's gauge of failure.

Another example of liberal media (Time Magazine) trying to chip away American values by supporting a dictator. Way to go!

I agree with Mr. Romney about Putin being named Man of the Year. I think it is just sick. What's wrong with Time Magazine? There are much more deserving men out there. That's one issue I will not be purchasing and I hope many, many others will refrain from buying that issue.

Person of the Year is not about popularity or likability or even patriotism. It has everything to do with world impact. President Putin has made a huge impact on his nation and world.
I admit that General Petraeus a great military person, but tragically blinded with the Bush mentality and has had little internationally when compared to President Putin.
Petraeus is by no means man of year.
Mitt is obviously pandering to his would be neo-con voters.

OK, we all agree that Romney is either ignorant to the alleged meaning of Time's Person of the Year, or he's pandering to an ignorant electorate.

BUT, let's be real…TIME sold its soul in 2001 by picking Mayor Giuliani over Osama Bin Laden (or you can argue they'd already sold it in 1999 when they chose Einstein over Hitler for Person of the Century). Point is, they can't have it both ways. Its not "Person of the Year who had the most impact on the world, even if it’s a negative one BUT just as long as that negative impact isn't too controversial to cause a backlash against our magazine."

They have NO credibility.

Who reads Time, anyway? It's entertainment, not real journalism. Think of it as one step shy of a supermarket tabloid, we glance at it but not buy it. Figure my money needs to go to other things; like heating my home? Come to think of it, a rolled up TIME can start up my woodstove…

Why should Time Magazine's choice of Putin as Man of the Year come as a surprize to anyone? They chose the Ayatollah Khomeini back in '81! I quit subscribing to Time Magazine because my bird died and I no longer had a good use for the magazine.

Putin is less disgusting than Mormonism or Liberal immoral values

I think Putin is an acceptable choice for Man of the Year, just not the best choice. My winner would be the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change because they(along with some help from a diplomat from Papua New Guinea) have forced US leadership to actually open their eyes and see what is happening around them in terms of Climate Change.

Mitt Romney is disgusting.

And I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think that General Betray-Us deserves recognition.

I'm glad that Romney and McCain aren't afraid to speak out on the important issues.

It's interesting to see which side of the argument the misspellings and bad grammar falls upon.

I'm not saying all Mitt Romney supporters are idiots. I'm just saying.

This is a great way for two potential presidents to start their relationship with a foe not to be underestimated.

If the designation was limited to nice people, it would have been given to the first runner-up - Al Gore.

I'd say the same thing if Romney was on the cover…I don't think he realizes it's not an honor, but more as who is having a great effect on worldly happenings..Stalin won twice, so did Bush…Hitler even won in 1938.

Time long ago became irrelevant. It is nothing more than liberals complaining non-stop about the US. Who cares?

And yes, Putin is a piece of garbage and Time magazine being a Time Warner publication is just a promoter of scum. Who owns Time Warner? Uhm I wonder…

He's just mad because Ron Paul got an honorable mention. He didn't get squat!

Wow , Mitt almost broke a leg racing to the microphone to pander on this subject………….I love these idiots , even after today when the bigot tancredo quits , and later , when rooty and cement head fred go down we will still have the antics of the underwear man and the reverendpresident and the professional veteran to pass the time……now I know why the repubs giggled so often during the Clinton impeachment……

Thank you Liberals like Tom from Albuquerque, NM. You stated exactly what I expected to find from the liberal nut jobs we have in this country.

As Tom so eloquently put it, "Putin is a much better leader than our president"

Tom if you said that in Russia you would be in JAIL or DEAD. Wake up you fool…..or better yet please move to Russia.

Typo: It's actually Glenn Beck, not Glen.

""and I'd bet a dollar Romney is the Man of the Year choice next year…after winning the presidency.""

A DOLLLAR?
an single dollar (which BTW is wort about 42% less than it was 6 years ago)
That is funny.
You must not feel very confident if your only willing to bet a worthless paper dollar.

Romney is so not going to win. How can anyone look at this guy and not see the slime ball that he is. Oh wait, 90% of America does not understand we are in default, the economy is already collapsing, and that they are brainwashed consumer slaves.

Mormans who think blacks are black because they turned away from god are disgusting. The cult like religion you sat up there and cried about being so devoted to shows what type of person you are Rominator.

Romney and McCain are both tools - time's man of the year means someone who has had a big impact on the world - not necessarily good OR bad - I believe Hitler was man of the year once also. These guys are tools - Ron Paul is the only honest choice.

This just proves that both Romney and McCain are retarded. Time Magazine has said: "Man of the Year does not mean best person of the year." The designation is solely base on world impact, good, bad, or ugly. If either could read; the article does not glorify Putin by any means. But expecting either of these two idiots to have any knowledge of the subject before opening their mouths is asking too much.

I'm not voting for Romney, but I agree with him on this. Time must be keeping with the tradition of picking people like Hitler for this award.

This kind of language is EXACTLY why Mitt Romney should NOT be president of the United States. Like it or not, we share the Earth with Putin and the millions of Russians who truly support and like him. We stand for democracy, right? Oh yeah, except when we disagree with what the "people" choose….

Well I'm sure Romney has a copy of the issue with his mug shot superimposed on the cover. … and what success in Iraq?

He obviously does not know the meaning of The Man of the Year. Apparently, he didn't read the article. The Man of Year Award goes to a person who has truly done amazing things, for better or for worse. In my personal opinion, Putin has done more good things than bad things for Russia.

Let's not forget he OPPOSED THE IRAQ INVASION.

Anyways, just because an American didn't get the award, he shouldn't be pissed.

My respect for Time Magazine has just gone up.

Congratulations to Mr. Putin on his award.

Well, I have to agree with Mitt on Putin being a bad choice, but that is where it ends. I am surprised that Mitt didn't want the KBR rapists to be Man Of The Year.

I Thought Mr Romney would be more knowledgeable of the international politics and that democracies around the world are different from the democracy we have in the US.
We act like Ostriches in the US and claim to have a perfect system.
At least Mr Putin was able to stabilize his country after almost 100 years of total chaos in a big and dangerous country like Russia.

Here comes the hypocrisy! Romney is upset because Putin has imprisoned people without granting them their legal rights, he has squelched individuals' rights and the free press, and his actions have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent people? Wait a second, was he talking about Putin, or Bush???? Romney clearly wants to see his own mug on the cover of Time magazine one day, and I fear that he will do his very best to imitate our current king, in order to do so!

Several years ago, when Time magazine selected Ayatollah Khomeini as Man of the Year, the publication experienced a similar backlash. Time clarified that the "Man of the Year" designation represented, in their opinion, the person or persons who was the m