The prestigious newspaper said it supports the incumbent Democrat instead of Republican rival Mitt Romney because, among other things, he has achieved the most sweeping health care reforms since 1965, prevented another Great Depression and ended the war in Iraq.

"Mr. Obama and his administration have been resolute in attacking al-Qaeda's leadership, including the killing of Osama bin Laden. He has ended the war in Iraq," the editorial said. "Mr. Romney, however, has said he would have insisted on leaving thousands of American soldiers there."

The Times also said Obama, an attorney, would make at least one appointment to the Supreme Court if re-elected, and that "the future of the nation's highest court hangs in the balance in this election — and along with it, reproductive freedom for American women and voting rights for all, to name just two issues.

Obama already has named justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor to the court.

The Times likewise praised strides in civil rights under Obama, the first black US president, who oversaw a legislated end to the military's official exclusion of gays and lesbians. And Obama overcame his own reluctance, ultimately endorsing same-sex marriage rights, the Times said.

In contrast, "Romney opposes same-sex marriage and supports the federal act, which not only denies federal benefits and recognition to same-sex couples but allows states to ignore marriages made in other states. His campaign declared that Mr Romney would not object if states also banned adoption by same-sex couples and restricted their rights to hospital visitation and other privileges," the endorsement editorial added.

"For these and many other reasons, we enthusiastically endorse President Barack Obama for a second term, and express the hope that his victory will be accompanied by a new Congress willing to work for policies that Americans need," it said on its website. – Sapa-AFP