George Fuller challenges Keith Self over Putin comparison, McKinney ‘cabal’ claims

Former mayor George Fuller challenges Republican congressman to identify who he says controls the city and produce evidence behind his claims

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

McKINNEY, Texas — U.S. Rep. Keith Self says former McKinney Mayor George Fuller may have left City Hall, but he remains the “power behind the throne.”

His comparison: Vladimir Putin.

Self accused developers of controlling McKinney for years and said a “cabal” has “run McKinney for a while.” Fuller is now challenging the Republican congressman to back those claims with evidence.

“If Congressman Self has evidence of corruption or some secret group controlling our city, he should produce it,” Fuller told TX3DNews. “Otherwise, ‘cabal’ is simply an inflammatory word designed to create a villain.”

The increasingly personal confrontation comes amid the effort to recall four McKinney City Council members, a campaign Self supports and Fuller is actively opposing.

‘I compare him to Vladimir Putin’

Self’s comments came after podcast host Sarah Zubiate Bennett questioned how McKinney council members she viewed as conservative could have unanimously approved the McKinney Islamic Association site plan.

Self turned the discussion to what he described as McKinney’s power structure.

“We have to understand that the developers have controlled McKinney for many years,” Self said.

Then he singled out Fuller, himself a developer.

“And I compare him to Vladimir Putin in Russia,” Self said, pointing to Putin’s temporary move from the Russian presidency before returning to power.

“I think in my mind that’s very reminiscent of Vladimir Putin tactically stepping down, but maintaining the power behind the throne.”

Self also called Fuller “very much the leader of the opposition” to the recall.

On that point, Fuller doesn’t disagree.

“Am I involved in opposing the recall? Absolutely,” Fuller told TX3DNews. “I have never pretended otherwise.”

But Fuller said opposing the recall as a private citizen is not the same as controlling city government.

“I am also a private citizen with every right to speak about issues affecting the community where I have lived, worked, invested and raised my family for decades,” Fuller said.

“I am not secretly directing the Mayor or Council, nor am I operating some organization behind the scenes,” he added. “My opposition is about as ‘behind the scenes’ as a Facebook post with my name and picture attached to it.”

Fuller also dismissed Self’s comparison outright.

“Congressman Self comparing me to Vladimir Putin is absurd and, frankly, beneath the office he holds.”

Self gets Fuller’s board position wrong

Self used Fuller’s current city position as part of the Putin comparison, but misstated where the former mayor serves.

“George is now on the McKinney Economic Development Corporation,” Self said.

Fuller actually serves on the separate McKinney Community Development Corporation. The city’s current board roster lists Fuller on MCDC but not MEDC.

Fuller said the distinction doesn’t change his larger objection to Self’s argument.

“Assert[ing] that serving on MCDC or MEDC is some mechanism for exercising power over the Mayor or City Council is another example of ignorance concerning the structure of municipal government and boards and commissions,” Fuller said.

From ‘cabal’ to ‘bullies and tyrants’

The interview then turned to Fuller’s comments that recall petition information is public record and signers should be prepared to stand behind their decision.

Bennett asked Self whether he viewed those comments as a threat.

“Absolutely,” Self said. “Telling people they’re going to have to own it is a threat.”

He then widened the accusation.

“The cabal that has run McKinney for a while is fighting back against this,” Self said.

While praising residents behind the recall effort, Self added: “Whether this is successful or not, this is how bullies and tyrants are taken down.”

Self did not identify who he considers part of the “cabal” or specify whom he meant by “bullies and tyrants.”

Fuller pushed back directly.

“The suggestion that a ‘cabal’ of developers secretly controls McKinney is equally ridiculous,” Fuller said. “If Congressman Self has evidence of corruption or some secret group controlling our city, he should produce it.”

“Otherwise, ‘cabal’ is simply an inflammatory word designed to create a villain.”

TX3DNews asked Self to identify the “cabal,” the developers he says have controlled McKinney and whom he meant by “bullies and tyrants.” He did not respond.

The fight moves into public view

The confrontation continued Saturday when Fuller publicly challenged Self over a congressional resolution denouncing Sharia law that Self promoted in his weekly newsletter.

Fuller argued the Constitution already establishes itself as the supreme law of the land and questioned why Congress needed to restate it.

He urged Self to focus instead on the national debt, federal spending, national security, military readiness and U.S. alliances.

“A resolution to restate what the constitution already clearly states is not effective and constructive time spent in Congress,” Fuller wrote on Facebook.

The criticism took their dispute beyond McKinney’s recall fight and directly to Self’s work in Congress.

Fuller also rejected the idea that remaining politically active after leaving office makes him the force behind McKinney government.

“If the worst evidence that I am the ‘power behind the throne’ is that I continue to speak publicly and passionately about McKinney after leaving office,” Fuller said, “I am comfortable letting people judge that for themselves.”

TX3DNews contacted Rep Self for comment and asked him to clarify his remarks. He did not respond.