I’m probably being misunderstood. I don’t mean to imply that they’re appalled by Hillary, or that they’re suddenly civic minded, or that they are conservative. I think they’re out to scoop other news agencies on obvious stories. I think whoever is leaking to them also says that if you don’t write it we’ll give it to the Washington Post. So self interest makes them do their job.
I do think the NYT is half protecting her, and half warning her: I read their main point as: "Unless you can show us you are a great candidate, bow out gracefully or this could get ugly." Like I said, it's a shot across her bow caboose.
She will respond if she can, if not she bows out gracefully without going to prison or harassed for her illegal $$$ influence peddling, nor her illegal emails.