If it is off the record no one should show up.
When dealing with ethical people ( and Holder is NOT one of the ethical ones) an off the record meeting can allow a person to offer background information that helps make the story understandable. In this case the New York Times has made the right choice. They already understand the 'background information' and that the purpose of Holder's meeting is only to manipulate.
It might be too late for the newspaper industry to save itself - they've lost so much credibility - but either way - it's best to survive or go down with full integrity. Hats off to the New York Times.