Alberta Tory insider describes Scud Stud’s election campaign as embarrassing

CALGARY – An Alberta Tory insider describes former journalist Arthur Kent as a “johnny-come-lately” candidate who should have been kicked to the curb for his antics during the 2008 Alberta provincial election.

Alan Hallman testified for the defence Thursday in the defamation lawsuit Kent has filed against Postmedia, the National Post and former columnist Don Martin.

Known as the Scud Stud during his time reporting on the Gulf War, Kent took exception to an article by Martin headlined “‘Scud Stud’ A ‘Dud’ On The Election Trail,” which portrayed him as an ego-driven, out-of-control star candidate whose campaign for a seat in the legislature was falling apart.

Kent, 61, has already testified that he rejected Hallman, who was one of the sources Martin used for the article, for a paid position on Kent’s campaign staff.

But Hallman denied that he asked for a spot. He described an email from Kent saying Hallman’s services weren’t wanted as “rude.”

“He is a johnny-come-lately,” Hallman said. “He’s never been involved in the Progressive Conservative party that I’ve ever seen and he shoots that off and I thought that was rude … beyond rude.”

In cross-examination, Kent’s lawyer Michael Bates suggested that Hallman was “gobsmacked” that his services weren’t required.

“Hardly,” said Hallman. “I was insulted. I could care less what Arthur Kent does. I’ve got lots of campaigns … lots of stuff I can do.”

Hallman said he had no problem speaking to Martin, who asked him if had ever seen a star candidate fall so far, so fast.

“I could think of no so-called star candidate who had ever run and embarrassed our party as much as Arthur Kent had,” Hallman said.

Hallman sent an email to Kent the night of the Tories’ election victory that read: “Massive majority and you lost. Well done. Call any time.”

“At the time I probably enjoyed sending this email. Recalling back on that I get mad right now on the stand thinking back at what this amateur, rookie candidate put us through during the provincial election back in ’08,” Hallman said.

“The premier must have had the patience of Job to have not thrown his butt out on the street.”

Kent’s campaign chairman, Bruce Thorpe, testified that he considered quitting because of the candidate’s “divisive” public remarks about his own party and then-leader Ed Stelmach.

Kent was on record in a number of publications criticizing the Tories’ plans to proceed with a royalty review.

“Arthur was starting to make comments that were not favourable in our view as being a team player. It was starting to be a bit divisive as far as getting volunteers together,” Thorpe testified.

“I had been involved in campaigns for a long time. It’s a team sport. Don’t put it in the media.”

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