It begins at 6:00 p.m. on KIRO—channel 7.

In theory, the debate will stream over here. KIRO sent out a picture of the debate room on Twitter: behold. Last time we watched these guys on the Seattle Channel, Mike McGinn seemed to frame most of the discussion (tunnels kill, extend light rail to Guam) and Joe Mallahan shot back. Tonight it will be interesting to see if Mallahan presents his own ideas and manages to wrest control over the debate.

6:02: Opening remarks. Mallahan says he got into the race because Seattle government is inefficient and it's "at risk of moving backwards." He says we need to move "forward," "forward," "forward." The worst thing we could do is obstruct the movement of goods through Seattle, he says. McGinn tells the story of getting involved in politics by working with neighbors to build sidewalks. He wants to invest in education, good transit, protecting bus service, creating jobs, and bloody internet service for everyone. One word he didn't say: "tunnel."

6:04: McGinn would protect health and human services. Mallahan says, "I believe the priorities that Mike listed are reasonable," but he adds, "My opponent has no management experience, no experience driving efficiencies."

6:07: What would you do about the bloody snowstorm thing? Take a drink. We should have salted the roads, blah, blah, blah....

6:10: Russell asks how far do we push green legislation? McGinn says he wants to pull in federal grants. Mallahan hearts "greet jobs" and the Puget Sound. Sweeping our streets would increase bicycle safety and do "great things for Puget Sound." Both dodge the implied question: "Do we pass a disposable bag ban?"

6:13: What past mayor do you respect? Mallahan seems to skirt the issue, saying he wants some departments run like a cell-phone company. He says, we should "drive a culture of service in the planning department and the department of transportation." McGinn likes Norm Rice's work to collaborate with other departments to improve schools. Looks like we're off to a commercial. And... take a drink.

6:15: They get to ask each other a question. Mallahan cites a quote from McGinn about not being the guy who makes sure the columns add up. How should we make the conclusion that you're qualified if you have zero management experience? McGinn says he's managed attorneys at Stokes Lawrenece, he ran the parks levy campaign, and he notes that he defeated a project supported by Slade "skeletor" Gorton, who he points out has donated to Mallahan. "I notice that your campaign is $95,000 in debt," says McGinn. Zing!

6:20: Nic in Greenlake comments, "I'd feel ok about Mallahan if Hutchison didn't have a shot at winning..."

6:21: Essex Porter asks about the gun ban proposed by Nickels. Was it fair of McGinn to use robo-calls to say that Mallahan wanted to repeal the gun ban when he didn't say, exactly, that he wanted to repeal it. McGinn points out that according to Porter's own coverage, Mallahan said he signaled his intent to oppose it—which amounts to an executive order to repeal it. Mallahan says the robocalls—which called his wife—were a "lie." Mallahan demands an apology. McGinn says, "I don't owe you an apology, because he told the public he doesn't support the gun ban, and you heard him right here, he doesn't."

6:26: How do we draw suburban jobs to Seattle? "Treat residents as customers not as inmates," says Mallahan. Which is, um, a really weird thing to say. Right? McGinn makes the standard lefty argument that light rail, internet, and other infrastructure makes a city desirable for business.

6:30: An odd question about racial profiling, because we're looking for a new police chief... McGinn dances around the question. Mallahan says McGinn "simply doesn't get it," saying that picking the next chief is the most pressing personnel decision the city is facing.

6:32: A boring question about whether Seattle takes too much time talking, but not enough time doing. Um, isn't this debate is part of the problem? Asks stinkbug in comments, "Mike's constant use of "um" - endearing or annoying?" Discuss during commercial break. Woo hoo—power chairs!

6:33: Mallahan seems to be doing much better this deabte. Less snark, and more combative. Still, for an agent of change, he's short on ideas.

6:35: Someone writes in to KIRO because he likes indigent people, but, frankly, they freak him out. What do we do about the panhandling homeless? McGinn acknowledges that now is a really bad time for human services, but he supports shelters, getting folks off street, and supporting public-safety measures when people are out of control. Mallahan says it's important that people observe the "social contract" and "ensure that everybody feels safe downtown."

6:38: A question about disparity in services and opportunity for nonwhite residents. How do we achieve balance? Mallahan seems to flounder, says we need to make sure schools in the south end have the same support as schools in the north end. He notes that "race is real." McGinn's talks about the diversity of the city and make it the greatest place it can be. Double fail.

6:40: The inevitable tunnel question. McGinn says $1.8 billion is still unaccounted for from the city and county. "It's not clear we are going to find the money," he says. Cost overruns, he adds, "could devastate everything else we are trying to do with our city budget." Mallahan says it's time to "move forward." He would coordinate with all the agencies to make sure we come in "on time, on budget." Keeps saying "move forward."

6:45: Mallahan won't stop saying "Mike simply doesn't get it" and "moving forward."

6:48: Final remarks are coming up—after a few important words from Nissan.

6:49: KIRO is "swamped" with Twitter comments asking about what the men are doing to support Referendum 71. Mallahan says it shouldn't be on the ballot, but, since it is, people should vote to "approve R-71." McGinn says marched for R-71 on Capitol Hill. Huzzah—a city where even the conservative candidate loves teh 'mos. Next question from Twitter: Should we invest in Key Arena to bring NBA back to Seattle? They both support renovating the arena, but McGinn says we shouldn't do it at the expense of other budget priorities.

6:52: Closing statements. McGinn recaps his robust civic record. Mallahan talks about a few nonprofits that he's worked with, including Treehouse—really?—and coaching girls' soccer to prove he's not a vote-evading slouch. Mallahan plays the lawyer card against McGinn, who has "spent most of his career as a litigator."

6:55: Drumrolls and exit music... we're done.