ArchPundit

As I’ve mentioned before, the Kathuria lawsuit against the Trib really turned some modestly positive press into a no press. The press wasn’t upset as much as amused and amusing candidates don’t get a ton of press. Real candidates do.

A campaign manager who understood the game would have stopped him from filing suit. Using the press to rally the troops and raise cash is all well and good, but suing is counterproductive and takes time away from the actual campaign.

So what about Kathuria’s campaign manager? One John Zahm, who used to also work for Chris Lauzen. Those who read the web site regularly will recognize the Lauzen name from merciless ridicule here. Why?

Pantagraph November 15, 1998

GENEVA, Ill. (AP) – The losing candidate for state comptroller says he will push ahead with a libel lawsuit against his Republican primary opponent because he wants to make a point about negative campaigning.

State Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora, beaten by Chicago Democrat Dan Hynes in last week’s general election, is turning his attention to a $1 million libel lawsuit he filed against Elgin businessman Harry Seigle over tactics in the March primary race that Lauzen won.

One of Seigle’s radio commercials accused Lauzen of lying to voters, claimed he "opened the door to more gambling in Illinois" and linked him to a business that failed to pay its taxes. Lauzen claims the statements are false and defamatory.

"If we’re not going to drive all the good people out of politics because they don’t want themselves or their family’s reputations dragged through the gutter, then somebody’s going to have to stand up when it happens to them and say here’s where the line is," Lauzen said Thursday after a status hearing in Kane County Circuit Court.

That was settled for a $2000 donation to the United Way, but Lauzen wasn’t done:
From the Daily Herald, March 29, 2001

If the name fits: Finally, there is state Sen. Chris Lauzen. Chris isn’t up for election this year, but that hasn’t stopped him from providing some dandy comic relief. As readers may remember, Chris went to court to have his name legally changed to "Chris Lauzen, CPA." I guess he had his reasons, but a judge saw it differently, and this week denied the name-change petition. Word is Chris plans to appeal, but I hope he rethinks his position. I believe he should go for a moniker that really catches the essence of what he brings to the political arena. I hear the name Bozo will be available soon.

Zahm, Kathuria’s campaign manager until recently is now threatening lawsuits against people on a message board.

We can lament about how politics is mean and tough, but it is. People who can’t handle that are in the wrong line of work–and the Kathuria campaign is a great example of why.