[Despot of the Delta]

This article explains it all. I misunderstood it as equal time for the entire show, but it means only the time the candidate actually appears and doesn't kick-in till the candidate appears on official state ballots. Equal Time

[calcowgirl]

This issue was in the news a lot in 2003 during the California recall election and I did a lot of research at the time. True, the time in question would only apply to the duration of the appearance, but I was specifically referring to broadcast vs. cable networks. In the WaPo link you posted, the article says:

There is potential good news for "Law & Order" fans. The FCC rules have never been applied to cable channels, though several legal experts said cable often abides by an equal-time guideline in the hopes of avoiding a legal case that would set a precedent.

Those rules were written to apply to public airwaves and when you read them quite obviously exclude cable networks. TNT played old Schwarzenegger movies throughout the pre-election period (non-stop it seemed) without it being an issue (although there were a few challenges when he appeared on Howard Stern's radio program and on Jay Leno's show--both on public airwaves (those parties lost their challenge).

Anyway, some attorney could conceivably challenge those rules as they relate to Thompson and cable TV, trying to argue FCC original intent, but I think it's a longshot given the history of the regulations.