Just why does Tribune want to stay independent, anyway?

The newspaper business is shrinking fast. Print ad revenues keep falling, and cost-cutting is the mantra of the day. So why is Tribune Publishing fighting so hard to avoid the embrace of USA Today owner Gannett? It may come down to a clash of bean-counters against visionaries--assuming, of course, it's not just about holding out for the best price. Gannett wants Tribune--the company behind the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune and other major daily papers--because bigger is better in a shrinking industry.