The 2009 TIME 100 Finalists

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers who deserve a spot on this year's TIME 100. — By Brian Raftery

Nate Silver

David E. Klutho / Sports Illustrated / Getty
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AGE: 31
OCCUPATION: FiveThirtyEight.com founder
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0

PRO: The numbers nerd came to prominence during the 2008 election, applying logic honed on baseball statistics to the presidential race, resulting in segment-specific, data-driven and invariably accurate predictions.

CON: Silver's lackluster Oscar picks — Taraji P. Henson over Penélope Cruz? Seriously? — proved he should probably stick to politics.

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