TIME Person Of The Year 2009: Ben Bernanke -- WATCH The Announcement

TIME Person Of The Year 2009: Ben Bernanke -- WATCH The Announcement

TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel appeared on the "Today" show Wednesday morning to reveal his magazine's selection for 2009's Person of the Year: Ben Bernanke.

"The winner is Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, the most powerful, least understood government force shaping our lives," Stengel said.

Stengel described the cover as a "throwback cover, like a Person of the Year cover from the '40s or '50s."

"He was the great scholar of the Depression, and basically he saw what looked like another Depression coming and he decided he would do whatever it takes to forestall that," Stengel said. "And basically he did.

Stengel admitted that Bernanke has made mistakes, but said that "in terms of influencing the economy this year, he's the guy."

Watch:

See the full cover (hits newsstands Friday);

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