I just can't wrap my head around why outgoing Sen. John Sununu would want a seat on the panel overseeing the $700 billion bailout.

It appears to be nothing but downside politically. If he's in the place of criticizing a failing Troubled Assets Relief Program, folks will still fault him for voting for it. If TARP succeeds in keeping alive banks that would have otherwise died, it's hard to see how anyone will really know it, and therefore it's hard to see how it will get credit. If he dissents from the liberal-appointed majority committee, he's at risk of being painted as a naysayer to progressive critics. And in any event, he's taking much more of an ownership stake in TARP, which will always be controversial in some circles.

Sununu said in a statement that he wanted to take the bull by the horns on something important.

"This program represents the most significant government intervention in the financial markets in my lifetime," Sununu said. "Taxpayers, policy makers and investors deserve a clear and accurate assessment of how these funds are allocated, and what benefit they provide. I also look forward to working with panel members to develop comprehensive recommendations for modernizing and reforming our regulatory system."

For those who've wondered why an outgoing senator can be on this board, an answer: There's apparently no requirement that the appointees be sitting lawmakers. The Democratic leaders in the House and Senate picked a bank superintendent, a law professor and the AFL-CIO's associate general counsel. Republican leaders tended toward their own ranks, naming a Texas congressman and Gregg, who, upon stepping down, was replaced with Sununu.

In a statement of his own, Gregg lauded the selection of Sununu and said he'd recommended his colleague for the job.

Musical chairs

New Hampshire House Speaker Terie Norelli named the leaders of the House's 22 standing committees last week.

A few notable changes: Rep. Bob Williams of Concord has taken over for former representative Jim Ryan of Franklin as chairman of the Transportation Committee. Ryan resigned from jail after his past as a felon came to light. And Kris Roberts is no longer chairman of Veterans Affairs, after his unsuccessful challenge of Norelli for speaker.

Here's the entire list:

Children and Family Law, Chairwoman Mary Stuart Gile of Concord, Vice Chairwoman Barbara Richardson of Richmond;

Commerce, Chairwoman Tara Reardon of Concord, Vice Chairman Ed Butler of Hart's Location;

Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Chairman Steve Shurtleff of Penacook, Vice Chairwoman Laura Pantelakos of Portsmouth;

Education, Chairwoman Emma Rous of Durham, Vice Chairwoman Judy Reever of Laconia;

Election Law, Chairwoman Jane Clemons of Nashua, Vice Chairman David Pierce of Etna;

Environment and Agriculture, Chairwoman Tara Sad of Walpole, Vice Chairwoman Jane Beaulieu of Manchester;

Executive Departments and Administration, Chairwoman Anne-Marie Irwin of Peterborough, Vice Chairwoman Laurie Harding of Lebanon;

Finance, Chairwoman Marjorie Smith of Durham, Vice Chairwoman Sharon Nordgren of Hanover;

Fish and Game, Chairman Dennis Abbott of Newmarket, Vice Chairwoman Margaret Porter of Epsom;

Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, Chairwoman Cindy Rosenwald of Nashua, Vice Chairman Tom Donovan of Claremont;

Judiciary, Chairman David Cote of Nashua, Vice Chairwoman Janet Wall of Madbury;

Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services, Chairman Jeff Goley of Manchester, Vice Chairwoman Sally Kelly of Chichester;

Legislative Administration, Chairwoman Lucy Weber of Walpole, Vice Chairwoman Ricia McMahon of North Sutton;

Local and Regulated Revenues, Chairwoman Mary Beth Walz of Bow, Vice Chairwoman Kathleen Taylor of Franconia;

Municipal and County Government, Chairwoman Mary Cooney of Plymouth, Vice Chairman Ray Gagnon of Claremont;

Public Works and Highways, Chairwoman Candace Bouchard of Concord, Vice Chairman David Campbell of Nashua;

Resources, Recreation and Development, Chairwoman Judith Spang of Durham, Vice Chairman Frank Tupper of Canterbury;

Rules, Chairwoman Norelli of Portsmouth, Vice Chairwoman Mary Jane Wallner of Concord;

Science, Technology and Energy, Chairwoman Naida Kaen of Lee, Vice Chairwoman Suzanne Harvey of Nashua;

State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs, Chairman Mike Rollo of Rollinsford, Vice Chairman Patrick Garrity of Manchester;

Transportation, Chairman Williams of Concord, Vice Chairman Jennifer Brown of Dover;

Ways and Means, Chairwoman Susan Almy of Lebanon, Vice Chairman Bill Hatch of Gorham.

A public campaign

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, who may or may not have political ambitions, will star in a series of public service announcements on internet safety over the next year sponsored by Comcast. Comcast estimates the campaign, which will run on 40 cable channels, is worth about $100,000.

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