WASHINGTON -- The $75,000 Credit Union Legislative ActionCouncil of CUNA spent on direct mailings in support of Senator JoeLieberman (I-Vt.) late in the game paid off in victory last week.In all, CULAC contributed over $225,000 in independent expendituresto the Lieberman campaign. Lieberman lost his bid for re-electionunder the Democratic banner in the primaries over his pro-warstance, but earned a sweet victory over Democratic candidate NedLamont as an Independent last week. "You're dealing in a state witha history where folks lose the primary and then go on to run as anindependent and win," CUNA Senior Vice President of PoliticalAffairs Richard Gose explained. Because there are so manyregistered independents in Vermont, CUNA expected him to do well,he said. A CUNA spokesperson has said that Lieberman has been goodto credit unions by voting for H.R. 1151 and supporting cloture onthe bankruptcy reform bill even though he did not vote in favor ofthe bill itself. Gose pointed out that it is harder to gauge asenator's support for credit unions than in the House because thereare fewer votes taken. You are dealing with a "different body and adifferent attitude." Political action committees can contributebeyond the $10,000 limit for primary and general elections combinedby making media buys that are not coordinated with the campaigncalled "independent expenditures."