CALGARY - It's the image many viewers still remember from the 1991 Persian Gulf War -- Arthur Kent, a.k.a. the Scud Stud, standing atop the Dhahran International Hotel in Saudi Arabia, filing nightly reports for NBC to Canada and the U.S. against a backdrop of missile and anti-missile attacks.
Seventeen years later, he has taken on the somewhat safer task of running as a Conservative candidate in the Alberta provincial election.
Instead of walking through the dust-filled streets of Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan, the former Emmy-Award-winning war correspondent is pounding the pavement in the riding of Calgary Currie.
The natural question is why.
Kent, now 54, was born in Alberta and grew up in the riding. But on this assignment he's up against a popular incumbent Liberal, former radio host Dave Taylor.
"I've reached a point in my career where it seemed like a great opportunity and a great time to make a contribution,'' Kent said while door-knocking in the upscale neighbourhood of Mount Royal.
"We're not chained down by political gridlock here in Alberta. Politics here, although far from simple and clear, is not held back by hung legislatures or disagreements along party lines.''
The question remains whether the Scud Stud will be a political dud. Never shy to speak his mind, Kent has always been a bit of a maverick. After a contract dispute with NBC, he was fired in August 1992. He subsequently sued NBC for breach of contract, fraud and defamation before settling in March 1994.
Early in the campaign for the March 3 Alberta election, he angered many in the Progressive Conservative establishment when he accused Premier Ed Stelmach's staff of "talking down'' to candidates and constituents and said he didn't like the "one-way communication'' going on with Stelmach's office.
The outburst, after Stelmach had cancelled an appearance at a fundraising event in Kent's riding, prompted the premier to tell reporters that the star candidate had received a talking-to.
"I'm not sure that would be an accurate statement of fact. What happened is history now,'' responded Kent.
"The calls and e-mails of support I received run 10-1 in favour of Calgary Currie having a vigorous champion that is going to speak up for Calgary,'' he noted. "Calgarians expect our representatives to speak out. And as the member of the legislature for Calgary Currie, yeah, everybody had better brace for it.''
His candour didn't go unnoticed while he was going door to door.
"I was quite looking forward to you representing us until you made those comments. I'm disappointed. You might as well run as an Independent,'' grumbled one man.
But he then leaned forward and added: "You've got to get rid of Stelmach. Good luck. I wouldn't do what you're doing for all the money in China.''
As Kent began his pitch to another homeowner, he was asked the inevitable: "Didn't you used to be a journalist? The Scud Stud -- was that you?''
"Yes, but now I'm seeking to be your MLA in Calgary Currie,'' Kent replied.
He downplays the effect of running into fans on the hustings.
"I wouldn't say it's that kind of contest. There are political followers, yes, but I'm a stable and mature adult politician now,'' he said with a laugh.
He's also the underdog in this race.
A resident named Jeanne spent 10 minutes peppering him with questions about arts funding and assistance for battered women while a tinkling of piano music filtered outside.
She seemed unimpressed by his reassuring words, bright smile and charming chatter.
"He's very smooth but very quickly wanted to talk about himself,'' she said as Kent went onto the next house. "I understand he has to get his message out, but there was not a real proper introduction, not a personable part there. He wanted to quickly sell his point of view.
"Do I expect anything to come out of what we discussed? No.''
The veteran of the sound bite refuses to be pinned down when asked if he has a bigger political prize in his sights, say, the premier's office.
"I want to be part of a team that achieves results. That's the trophy I want to put on my mantlepiece. I've played on teams and I've led a few teams and know what teamwork is all about.
"I always enjoy a team that moves the ball down the field and recognize my own goal line. We're on a scoring drive. We're going to do it again and again. We're going to put the ball through the uprights of the opposition.''
In other words, no comment.
