• Associated Press via Yahoo, Monday, August 6, 2007 10:30 AM

Presidential candidates are banging on the door to get time with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" and, as Comedy Central ramps up its "Indecision 2008" coverage, advertisers are boosting their involvement as well. Set to roll in the next few weeks are second-tier candidates like Sen. Joe Biden (D.-Del.) and former Republican governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson. Also on tap are the fast-fading Sen. John McCain (R.-Ariz.) and U.S. Senator from Illinois (and Dem superstar) Barack Obama.

"It's sort of an open invitation for candidates," says Michele Ganeless, Comedy Central's executive vice president and general manager. "Jon makes these guys feel comfortable. He provides them with an opportunity to reach an audience they don't always reach, which is young men." And it also fills the coffers of the Viacom-owned cable net: It sells political coverage on "The Daily Show" and spinoff, "The Colbert Report."

Volkswagen, Apple and Subway have all signed up, in some case at twice the dollar levels of the last presidential year in 2004.

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