Former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci declared the other day that Sal DiMasi is the greatest speaker of the House in Rhode Island history.

The problem is DiMasi is the Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

But the way Cianci sees it, DiMasi did the Ocean State a huge favor last week when he killed a bill to legalize casino gambling in Massachusetts, thus the honorary title of the greatest speaker in Rhode Island history.

Massachusetts residents spend $200 million a year over the border at the Twin River gambling facility in Lincoln, R.I., Cianci said.

That is money that would stay at home and create jobs and taxes for Massachusetts instead of Rhode Island, if not for DiMasi.

Cianci is far from the only Rhode Island politician who appreciates the gold mine the Ocean State enjoys at the expense of Massachusetts. Plainridge Racecourse has compiled a report calling for slot machines at racetracks, which outlines the money from Massachusetts going to facilities in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The report notes that Twin River recently underwent a $250 million expansion, and quotes Pawtucket state Rep. William San Bento as saying: "We're short a ton of money. I don't want to raise taxes. If we can grab people from Massachusetts headed toward Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun to play the slots, why not? If Massachusetts decides to put in slots, we'll get hammered."

Tribe pushes plans

The Legislature may have killed Patrick's plans for expanded gambling, but a casino could be on its way to Southeastern Massachusetts, whether lawmakers want it or not.

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is going ahead with its plan for a federally sanctioned casino in Middleborough.

It has released a sketch of its concept for a casino and hotel and announced it hopes to have federal approval within a year.

Some consider the tribe's hopes overly optimistic, but if federal approval is forthcoming the state will be in a much weakened position to negotiate with the tribe.

Another VP shot?

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman seems attached at the hip to Sen. John McCain lately, leading to speculation he is angling for a spot on the Republican national ticket. Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, accompanied McCain on his recent trip abroad, appearing at McCain's side at every news conference along the way.

The selection of Lieberman as a running mate might strengthen McCain's image as a moderate, independent-minded Republican for the general election, but it would anger the right wing of the party, which is already less than gaga over McCain.

Conservatives would rather someone like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist or even our own former Gov. Mitt Romney, who seems to have made up with McCain after their clashes in the Republican primaries.

Besides, polls show McCain getting pummeled in Lieberman's home state of Connecticut by either Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton.

And then there is always Lieberman's less than overwhelming performance as a vice presidential candidate in 2000, when he ran as a Democrat with Al Gore.

JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. His commentaries appear in this space on Saturdays. Contact him at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.