U.S. President Barack Obama joined a chorus of tributes for Walter Cronkite Friday, hailing the late CBS anchor as a journalistic icon who was the "voice of certainty in an uncertain world."

Walter Cronkite, seen here in 2006, died Friday at age 92. (Christopher Atwood/Associated Press)Cronkite, a legendary broadcast journalist whose storied career spanned seven decades, died Friday night at his Manhattan home. He was 92.

In a statement, Obama described Cronkite as a trusted voice who calmly guided America through some of the country's most turbulent days.

"His rich baritone reached millions of living rooms every night, and in an industry of icons, Walter set the standard by which all others have been judged," Obama said.

"But Walter was always more than just an anchor. He was family. He invited us to believe in him, and he never let us down."

In a statement late Friday, Republican Senator John McCain, who ran unsuccessfully against Obama for the U.S. presidency, said he was saddened to learn of the passing of "one of the most influential newsmen of our time."

"I will never forget our memorable visit together to Hanoi on the 10th anniversary of the fall of Saigon," said McCain, a Vietnam veteran who spent 5½ years in a prisoner of war camp.

Canada's Safer hails 'giant of journalism'

Sean McManus, president of CBS News, said: "It is impossible to imagine CBS News, journalism or, indeed, America without Walter Cronkite.

"More than just the best and most trusted anchor in history, he guided America through our crises, tragedies and also our victories and greatest moments,"

His longtime friends also recalled the humorous side of the anchor, nicknamed "Old Ironpants" by his peers for his demanding professionalism and on-air stamina.

Don Hewitt, longtime producer of CBS news program 60 Minutes, called Cronkite "the gold standard" in broadcast journalism while Canadian Morley Safer, a longtime 60 Minutescorrespondent, said he was "the father of television news."

"The trust that viewers placed in him was based on the recognition of his fairness, honesty and strict objectivity … and, of course, his long experience as a shoe-leather reporter covering everything from local politics to World War II and its aftermath in the Soviet Union," Safer said.

"He was a giant of journalism and privately one of the funniest, happiest men I've ever known."

"There will never be a newsman again — ever — who will have that clout," CNN interviewer Larry King said.

"He could change public opinion. No one broadcaster could do that. No one could touch it."

With files from The Associated Press