Person of the Year

George Allen

Former Republican Governor and Senator of Virginia; member of the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors

I think the most significant persons would be General David Petraeus and the magnificent men and women who serve in our armed forces. They know what is going on here when leaders say the war is lost or that they are terrorizing Iraqis. But these men and women keep doing their job in dangerous, precarious positions. They are making a positive difference in Iraq. They are protecting our country.

Nora Roberts

Prolific romance novelist of 178 titles; first inductee into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame

Since I'm such a Democrat, I would nominate presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for TIME'S 2007 Person of the Year. No matter what you think of her politics or where you stand, it is about time we had a woman running for President. And in a big way--not just that you write her name on a ticket but as a major candidate for President of this country. I think it is a corner turned.

Hugh Hefner

Founder of Playboy magazine and enterprises; a reality-show co-star on The Girls Next Door

I nominate Steve Jobs of Apple for Person of the Year. He is a true visionary who continues to lead the technological revolution. Year after year, Apple creates must-have products that shape how we live our lives. The iPod and iTunes have clearly had a legendary impact, and the iPhone is this year's best gadget by far. Jobs and Apple continue to lead us into a wonderful, new technological future.

Lisa Randall

Renowned scientist, professor of theoretical physics at Harvard and author of Warped Passages

I nominate Dick Cheney as the most influential Person of the Year. As chief engineer of our energy policy, he is largely responsible for the ruinous environmental, foreign policy and economic consequences that face us today. The initial energy meetings set a precedent for the increased secrecy and Executive privilege that have come to characterize this Administration.