So a law is unlikely to pass. This idea is only good for challengers. The NewsHour has already run stump speeches that were over five minutes. Plus, remember, it's five minutes every night for a month. With the candidates alternating, it could unfold as a kind of serialized debate.
Some people don t know who is running in any given election.
Yes, it should be applied to the state level. Then, in each media market, the parties' leaders could decide which of its candidates most needed the free time. It would be good for challengers, good for parties, and good for democracy. First, it will make candidates less dependent on the interest groups that have been so influential in determining public policy. Secondly, it will reduce the time the candidates now spend in raising money for TV exposure.