Tonight at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, Council Members Kshama Sawant and Nick Licata will debate the merits of rent control with developer lobbyist Roger Valdez and Republican state representative Matt Manweller. Will it feel like a real debate or will everything be drowned out by angry people shouting, cheering, and booing from the crowd? Who knows! (Just kidding. We all know. It's going to be a shitshow.)

Sawant's council office has been on their usual social media/poster game, and the anti-rent-control Rental Housing Association of Washington is trying to rally its supporters, too.

"The World Is Run By Those Who Show Up," began an e-mail the RHAWA sent its members last week. This is what followed:

This quote couldn't be more true anywhere than in the City of Seattle, where Councilmember Kshama Sawant consistently turns out supporters at every opportunity to control public debate on issues—see the $15/hr minimum wage debate. Do you want her to do the same with rent control?

It is time for the rental industry to take a stand and make its presence felt.

Now, more than ever, RHA members must make their presence known to oppose any discussion of rent control in the City of Seattle. Your presence means everything to public perception, both at the event, and in the media.

...

It is strongly recommended that you arrive early to ensure yourself a seat. The last rent control forum held by Sawant was standing room only, packed by her supporters.

It's hard to imagine the RHAWA can rally a group even half as feisty or color-coordinated as Sawant's crowd, but good on them for trying, I guess.

Sawant said at a council meeting this morning that the questions that will be asked tonight have been agreed upon in advance by both sides. Former city council member Peter Steinbrueck will moderate.

By the way, wondering whether Sawant and Licata intentionally picked Manweller—the wacko anti-marriage-equality, anti-minimum-wage-increase Republican who last year said "it is not our job in the Legislature to out-Kshama Kshama Sawant"—in order to undermine the anti-rent-control side of the debate? Nope. The RHAWA chose Manweller themselves, according to Sawant's office.

Like I said, it's going to be a shitshow. See you there!

P.S. If you can't make it, the debate will be live-streamed right here.