Person of the Year

Ann Coulter Conservative controversialist and best-selling author

I name Sarah Palin for her genius at annoying all the right people. I haven't seen liberals so enraged by a woman since me. Once John McCain was nominated, the election was a snoozefest until our hero bounded out of the Alaskan tundra. Palin is wildly interesting, charismatic and charming, so Democrats fixated on her inexperience--meaning she is only five times as experienced as our next President.

Ron Paul Texas Congressman and 2008 Republican presidential candidate

Amid a horrific financial crisis, all we hear are calls for more of the money-printing, spending and subsidies that created this mess. So I choose my great teacher, Ludwig von Mises, champion of the Austrian School of economics, who taught us how a central bank like the Fed causes booms and busts and how to build prosperity through sound money and economic freedom.

Dara Torres First U.S. swimmer to make five Olympic teams, the last in 2008 at age 41

It sounds like a cliché, but in times of turmoil, stick with those who provide inspiration, comfort and love. That is what Oprah Winfrey has always done for me. I am sure millions of others feel the same. Whether it is insight into the things I feel as a person, a woman, a mom or a citizen of this world, I always know where to turn when I'm confused or unsure. Oprah is undoubtedly my Person of the Year.

Muhammad Yunus Nobel Peace Prize-winning economics professor whose pioneering Grameen Bank fights poverty with microcredit

I nominate Barack Obama. He has galvanized the people of the U.S. and inspired the whole world. Young folks everywhere see him as a symbol of hope. Amid all the terrible news about such calamities as the financial crisis and the food crisis, he stands out as the overwhelming good news. He can create history by setting the political and economic tone for the 21st century.