I would like to think so, but they would lose the liberal subscriber base they have now, and how many conservatives would subscribe to TIME because of a decent issue about Bush as Man of the Year?
Your point is possible, but in my mind, it only works if they make a fundamental shift in their rag, from now on.
Hard for me to believe they would ever do that.
I haven't seen their current circulation figs, but the last I knew their circulation figs were in decline. The blues weren't keeping them in the black. Unless that's changed, I'm thinking the rag may have decided to try to expand their subscriber base. If the article on 43 is fair and balanced, and fair and balanced articles follow, that's my take. FWIW :)
I think you're absolutely correct.
A representative of TIME is about to appear on F&F to explain their choice of GWB as Man of the Year. Hopefully he'll (or she) give a hint of their approach to this topic.