Arthur Kent's comments during 2008 election 'divisive,' campaign chair tells court

Arthur Kent's campaign chairman says he considered quitting because of the candidate's divisive remarks about his own party and its leader.

Bruce Thorpe is testifying for the defence in Kent's defamation case against Postmedia, the National Post and former columnist Don Martin.

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Kent, who became known as the Scud Stud for his live reports on NBC during the FirstGulf War, took exception to a 2008 article by Martin that called Kent a dud and portrayed him as an ego-driven, out-of-control candidate.

Thorpe says the core members of the campaign team were concerned about Kent's criticism of then-premier Ed Stelmach and the Progressive Conservative party.

He says he warned Kent that if he made another negative comment about the premier or party he would be "out the door."

Thorpe says he was disappointedKent wasn't willing to be a "team player" and help get the Tory government re-elected.

Don Braid, a veteran columnist for the Calgary Herald, appeared as awitness for the defence on Wednesday.

He also said when he interviewed Kent prior to the Martin article, the candidate was critical of Stelmach and the party, behaviour Braid said was unusual for someone seeking office.