Everyone knows summer television is lousy. Repeats dominate the airwaves as the networks gear up for the fall.

But, this summer, the rerun season carries with it some political intrigue. Why? Because NBC is preparing to air a series of “Law & Order” repeats featuring — you guessed it — Fred Thompson.

Hoping to avoid violating a Federal Communications Commission provision that would force the network to provide equal time to other candidates running for president, NBC chief lobbyist Robert Okun has reached out to the GOP presidential campaigns of a former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, and Mayor Giuliani, among others, to inquire whether they would make a major issue out of Mr. Thompson being featured in reruns this summer. Under the equal-time rule, if a network gives time to one political candidate, it is required to provide the same amount of airtime to his or her opponents. In other words, if Mr. Thompson appeared on a “Law & Order” episode for 10 minutes during prime time, NBC would have to give Mr. Thompson’s rivals for the Republican nomination 10 minutes of prime time each.

“The equal-time requirement applies when the person has legally qualified as an official candidate in a relevant state — for example, having his or her name formally approved to be on a state’s primary ballot — not merely when he/she declares his or her intent to run,” an NBC spokeswoman said. “If Fred Thompson formally announces his intention to run for president, NBC will not schedule any further repeats of ‘Law & Order’ featuring Mr. Thompson beyond those already scheduled, which conclude on Saturday, September 1st.”

All this may be much ado about nothing, however, because recent rumors have Mr. Thompson waiting until the fall to make his candidacy official, a move that would mean “Law & Order” lovers could get their fill of tough-talking District Attorney Arthur Branch all summer long.

Mr. Giuliani will unveil endorsements from a who’s who of conservative judges and legal advocates during a midweek campaign swing through Iowa.

The “Justice Advisory Committee” will be chaired by Theodore Olson, a former U.S. solicitor general and a revered figure among conservatives.

Mr. Olson, who has known Mr. Giuliani since the two worked together in the Justice Department during the Reagan administration, said the former mayor’s leadership qualities are what distinguish him from the field. “He takes strong positions; he believes in leadership,” Mr. Olson said. “He doesn’t vacillate because it is the popular thing to do.”

Other prominent figures on the committee include Larry Thompson and Miguel Estrada.

Mr. Thompson is a former deputy attorney general, while Mr. Estrada rose to prominence in 2003 when his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit was filibustered by Senate Democrats — the first in a series of maneuvers in the chamber that led to a showdown over judges.

The announcement of the committee’s formation is designed to coincide with a two-day swing by Mr. Giuliani through Iowa, a trip that will include his first trip to the Republican-heavy western part of the state. It is also designed to address voters’ concerns about Mr. Giuliani’s conservative bona fides. Judicial appointments are a touchstone for conservatives, and Mr. Giuliani is hoping that people such as Messrs. Olson, Thompson, and Estrada can reassure potential backers about his willingness to pick conservative judges. If January’s Iowa presidential caucuses won’t matter as much in the face of the February 5 tsunami of voting, then someone forgot to tell the Democratic candidates. Not only are the front-runners showering the state with visits but they are also establishing outposts throughout Iowa to ensure that activists have a home base in their own communities.

All told, the six leading candidates for the Democratic nomination have 79 field offices in Iowa, according to Carrie Giddins — the indefatigable communications director of the state party.

Senator Obama of Illinois leads the way with a whopping 28 offices — a testament to the grassroots organizational strategy associated with Iowa state director Paul Tewes. A former senator, John Edwards of North Carolina, who many people believe must win in Iowa to have a chance at the nomination, has 15 field offices. Senator Clinton of New York checks in with 12, followed by New Mexico’s Governor Richardson, with 11. Senator Dodd of Connecticut has eight, while Senator Biden of Delaware has five.