CNN

(CNN) – Rolling Stone has been endorsing candidates for president for 36 years, but never have they endorsed one during the primary season. Until now.

The magazine endorses Barack Obama for president in its upcoming issue, which hits newsstands on Friday. The cover features the Illinois senator, and the headline “Barack Obama: A New Hope.”

“Politicians with gifts like Obama's are so rare that it's imperative for each of us to do our part," Rolling Stone editors write.

The publication first endorsed a candidate for president in 1972 when they picked George McGovern, a democrat. Since then, the magazine has endorsed candidates Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Al Gore and John Kerry.

Publisher Jann Wenner - an Obama supporter who has given $2,000 to his presidential campaign - also contributed to the presidential campaigns of Gore and Kerry.

Wenner has criticized the way Hillary Clinton has run her campaign, but referred to her a “capable and personable senator.” The publisher contributed $2,000 to The New York senator’s first senatorial campaign in June 2000, but has not contributed to her current presidential bid.

– CNN's Jeff Simon