Endorsements

In this erratic 2008 election, we have seen endorsement after endorsement on both sides. So what is the real influence of endorsements? I can only answer my question with my personal view of the election. Seeing John McCain endorsed by the likes of Joe Liebermann and Silvester Stalone merely make me roll my eyes and say "Of course." Yet the varied endorsements Barack Obama has received throughout this campaign - Teddy Kennedy, Oprah, Colin Powell, Fareed Zakaria, the former Chief of Staff for President Reagan, etc - has truly astonished me.
I know Obama represents the glorified future of America but I never expected Republican big whigs to endorse him. In my opinion, this is just Republicans trying to save their skins before McCain's loss but what is the real message this sends. If a candidate can get an equal amount of endorsements from both sides, is he not the perfect candidate for the Presidency?
I doubt any other candidate in history has been so strongly supported by former heads of state/Capitol Hill big whigs. I'm sure there are people out there who say, "Oh, Oprah said he's 'the one'!" and leave it at that, but there are others who put great thought into elections and the deeper meaning behind support. I believe that any candidate who can bring both Democrats and Republicans together under one flag has the makings for a brilliant presidency.