Friday was another big, big day for Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama, as he picked up a handful of high-profile endorsements from some of the largest and most respected news organizations, in addition to a well-known conservative radio host and Bush SR appointee, who have announced they’ll be crossing party lines to support Mr. Obama.

Let’s start with the Chicago Tribune, who hasn’t endorsed a Democratic presidential nominee since it’s founding in 1847.

On Nov. 4 we’re going to elect a president to lead us through a perilous time and restore in us a common sense of national purpose.

The strongest candidate to do that is Sen. Barack Obama. The Tribune is proud to endorse him today for president of the United States.

Then over the pond to London, where the Rupert Murdoch-owned London Times endorsed Obama with much fanfare. The London Times hasn’t endorsed an American presidential candidate since Nixon in the 70s, though we won’t hold that against them.

Barack Obama has shown the character, intelligence and judgment to be president. He is the better candidate for the White House

Then back to Philly, where conservative radio-show host Michael Smerconish announced on his show his endorsement of Obama to a stunned audience.

“John McCain is an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I’m voting for a Democrat for president.

“I may have been an appointee in the George H.W. Bush administration, and master of ceremonies for George W. Bush in 2004, but last Saturday I stood amidst the crowd at an Obama event in North Philadelphia,” says the Republican.

Then we have a few less-surprising, but still significant endorsements. The Denver Post tosses their hat in for Obama in a crucial swing state, where every endorsement counts.

Republicans love to mock Obama’s history as a community organizer. But here was a man with no money to offer, no patronage to dispense, no way to punish his opponents. All he could do was to work with people from all walks of life, liberals and conservatives, business people and the unemployed, and bring them together in common cause for a better community. Could there really be better preparation to reunite a worried and divided America to again pursue our “more perfect union”?

The LA Times backed Obama, though a major win, was not completely unsurprising.

We need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful calm and grace under pressure, one not prone to volatile gesture or capricious pronouncement. We need a leader well-grounded in the intellectual and legal foundations of American freedom. Yet we ask that the same person also possess the spark and passion to inspire the best within us: creativity, generosity and a fierce defense of justice and liberty.

The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president.

Then to wrap it up, the Washington Post got in line behind Obama, comparing McCain to Bush and also pointing out the travesty that is Sarah Palin.

The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain’s disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race.