From a GOP perspective, this is great news. The Lefties in CT have shot themselves in the foot -electing yet another rich Liberal. Lieberman is now the Underdog.
The smart thing to do, politically, is to continue to publicly support the GOP candidate in the General Election in November. Privately, CT Republicans should be donating to Lieberman's campaign. Open endorsement of Lieberman by the GOP won't help him win.
We need to maintain the support for our Foreign Policy in the Senate and Lieberman, while an un-apologetic social Liberal, is a Hawk on Foreign Policy and we need him (be he a Democrat or "Independent").
His running as an Independent will also force the Clinton's and Reid's and Dodd's into an uncomfortable position: opposing their "friend" thereby making them look intolerant of differing opinions within their party. This should be exploited at every turn by the GOP.
Basically it's a win-win for the Republicans.
As a Conservative, however, its a lose-lose. Lamont or Lieberman will win, each is a BIG GOVERNMENT Hawk which is not good for the long-term. Conservatives need to be more pro-active in Liberal states like CT, spend some money there and take advantage of the split between the liberals to highlight the weaknesses of their philosophy.
Conservatives fair best when we are on the offensive.
"I have found a certain type calls himself a Liberal...Now I always thought I was a Liberal. I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out that I was a Right-Wing Conservative Extremist, when I listened to everybody's point of view that I ever met, and then decided how I should feel. But this so-called new Liberal group, Jesus, they never listen to your point of view..." -John Wayne