Try floating a “some speculate that...” story implying maybe the L.A. Times is being threatened by the Obama campaign, directly or indirectly. They will have to give a legitimate reason, release the story or make it appear they are under some sort of duress-implied or otherwise. It seems like a win-win.
Just called them, they direct you to “leave a message” so I did. Asked themw hen they stopped being in the news business and became part of the censorship business.