For the second time, President George W. Bush was named Person of the Year by Time Magazine.

The magazine said they chose the recently re-elected Bush because he reshaped “the rules of politics to fit his 10-gallon-hat leadership style.” Managing Editor of Time, James Kelly, also said he was chosen “for sticking to his guns (literally and figuratively)” and “for persuading a majority of voters this time around that he deserved to be in the White House for another four years.”

The magazine with Bush on the cover hits newsstands Monday. Inside the magazine are interviews with Bush, and his father, former President George H. W. Bush.

Other people considered for the “award” were Michael Moore, who hoped to influence the election with his anti-Bush film “Fahrenheit 9/11,” and Mel Gibson, who created as much controversy over his Jesus film “The Passion of the Christ.”

Six other presidents have been named Person of the Year twice, including Bill Clinton. Franklin Roosevelt was given the title three times.

A White House spokesperson said Bush was not worried about what his critics said.

This is the first time an individual has been named since 2001, when Rudy Giuliani, then New York mayor, was recognized for his work after the terrorist attacks of September 11.

In 2002, three women were awarded for being whistle blowers on the FBI, Enron and Worldcom. Last year, the “American Soldier” was featured.

The magazine does not necessarily choose people because they are well liked, but more so based on their popularity in the year. In 1938, they chose Hitler, and in 2001, they considered choosing Osama bin Laden.






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