* During the 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary, the Chicago Tribune endorsed Corinne Wood.

In 2006, the Tribune endorsed Republican Ron Gidwitz for governor.

In 2010, the Tribune went with Andy McKenna in the GOP primary.

* Besides all losing their primaries, what else did those three have in common?

Well, all of them were millionaires who were the biggest self-funders in their respective races.

* And, today, Mother Tribune did it again…

We do appreciate comity. But we think Rauner would have a much easier time wielding a veto pen. A much easier time saying No to legislative leaders.

Of the four Republicans, Rauner best communicates to citizens the indelible fact that Illinois is broken. If nominated now, in November he would force voters to choose a future for this state:

If that future resembles the failed past, it will feature lawmakers of both parties battling openly over proposed marginal changes to the derelict status quo.

If that future takes this state in a new direction, it will embrace changes wrought by governors of neighboring states with balanced budgets, healthy pension funds and lower unemployment.

The best solution for all that now cripples Illinois would be a jobless rate of 6 percent or less, with more workers bringing home paychecks and contributing tax revenues.

Of the Republicans running for governor, Rauner is the change agent who could best begin to rescue Illinois.

Never mind that he very nearly derailed the Tribune’s much-beloved pension reform bill by coming out forcefully against it. Never mind that he has dismissed the Tribune’s near to the heart workers’ comp reform as basically worthless.

Nope. They just love his style, even as they continue to bash candidates for doing just what Rauner did, opposing pension reform and workers’ comp reform.

*** UPDATE *** They endorsed Tom Cross for treasurer, but it was a tough call because of - guess what? - pension reform…

To our mind, Cross made a bad vote based on political considerations. He damaged his credibility. More damaging, he undermined the efforts of his successor, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, to pass the bill. […]

Our endorsement goes to Cross. We wish it came with more enthusiasm.

Rauner did more to undermine that pension reform vote than Cross, but his opposition was not even mentioned.

Sheesh.