The rules of tonight’s debate give John McCain a liars advantage.

Tuesday’s match-up at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., will be moderated by NBC’s Tom Brokaw, with the questions to be culled from a group of 100 to 150 uncommitted likely voters in the audience and another one-third to come via the Internet. The Gallup Organization — as in past debates like this — has the job of making sure the questioners reflect the demographic makeup of the nation.

Brokaw selects the questions to ask from written queries submitted prior to the debate, according to the "contract."

An audience member will not be allowed to switch questions. Under the deal, the moderator may not ask followups or make comments. The person who asks the question will not be allowed a follow-up either, and his or her microphone will be turned off after the question is read. A camera shot will only be shown of the person asking — not reacting.

While there will be director’s chairs (with backs and foot rests), McCain and Obama will be allowed to stand — but they can’t roam past their "designated area" to be marked on the stage. McCain and Obama are not supposed to ask each other direct questions.

With no followup, from the questioner or moderator, and no ability for the candidates to ask each questions, candidates will be able to lie with impunity, not answer questions, and general stray from the facts. Because of John McCain’s demonstrated ability to lie, duck questions and ignore reality, he clearly has an advantage tonight.

Let’s be honest, this is not a town hall meeting, it’s scripted reality TV. If you added four strangers into the mix and put them in a house, MTV could just film season 22 of the Real World tonight. 

Update: The TV is telling me Tom Brokaw will ask followups – we shall see.