During major political speeches, it’s customary for the speaker’s supporters and staff to be the first to clap at the speech’s high points.

It’s one thing to start off the applause for your boss, but to start off the laughter?

That was the situation last week, when Governor Carcieri inserted some lighter moments into his State of the State address. For instance, during the section on the importance of renewable energy, Carcieri was discussing a yet-to-be-completed report on the best sites for harvesting wind power in Rhode Island. “As an aside,” he said, “there’s absolutely no truth to the rumor that one of the best wind sites was this building.”

In the ensuing laughter, Political Scene couldn’t help but notice that the first laugh — a loud, prolonged and particularly hearty one — came from the governor’s chief of staff, Jeffrey M. Grybowski.

It probably wasn’t the first time Grybowski heard the joke. It was written into the governor’s speech, which Grybowski played a major role in crafting.

Here’s how Grybowski explained his reaction: “The joke hit a nerve. I have been told by many people who have seen me testify at the State House that I am the primary source of hot air in the building.”