Time readers crown Sanders Person of Year

Readers of Time magazine have chosen Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as Person of the Year, according to a poll by the magazine.

Sanders, a Vermont senator who is Jewish, self-identifies as a Democratic socialist and is challenging former secretary of state Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Sanders’s polling numbers have exceeded expectations, but he still trails Clinton by a wide margin.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at Georgetown University in Washington on November 19, 2015. (AP /Carolyn Kaster)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at Georgetown University in Washington on November 19, 2015. (AP /Carolyn Kaster)

Sanders easily outpaced his rivals in the Time survey, receiving more than 10 percent of the vote, with the runner-up, Pakistani girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai, at 5.2%. President Barack Obama, Pope Francis and talk-show host Stephen Colbert rounded out the top five vote-getters. Francis won the honor in 2013.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas garnered 1% of votes each, barely edging out Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at 0.9%.

All three leaders failed, though. to reach the 1.4% of votes claimed by Triple Crown-winning American Pharaoh, who is a horse.

Time will reveal its Person of the Year on Wednesday.

— with JTA

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.