`Challenge coins' give Romney's gifts some personalized flair

Usually, politicians have their hand out, palm up, for money. (To finance campaigns, of course.) But Governor Mitt Romney is handing out a new little something to remember him by: his very own coin.

Last summer, the governor-who-may-run-for-president (TGWMRFP) ordered 500 brass ``challenge coins," about the size of a silver dollar, at $4.96 apiece (that's almost $2,500 from the taxpayer-funded governor's office's budget) from a company called Logos To Go . On one side of each coin is the state seal; on the other, the words, ``With Appreciation for Your Service," and Romney's signature.

``The governor was aware that Cabinet secretaries and other governors gave out coins," said Eric Fehrnstrom, spokesman for TGWMRFP. ``And he thought it was a nice gift to show appreciation for military members and other employees who are performing a public service."

Challenge coins are an old military tradition. Most commands and military schools have their own coins, each with their own insignia; commanders hand them out for a job well done, said Major Winfield Danielson , a public affairs officer for the Massachusetts National Guard. Soldiers ``challenge" each other to present their coins on the spot; anyone who can't produce his unit's coin when asked owes the challenger a favor.

A few governors do it, too. Kevin Hall , a spokesman for Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia, said he had one from Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico in a large bowl of coins on his desk. And Hall said his boss ordered some to take with him on a March visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he handed out about 120 of them to troops he met there.

``They trade them, I guess, like Boy Scout trade patches," he said. ``It's odd."

Other governors, such as John E. Baldacci of Maine , have not yet adopted the concept.

``When children come into his office, he'll take his business card and kind of tape a Maine state quarter on it," offered Joy Leach , his spokeswoman. ``The kids love it."

Romney took the coins with him on his tour of Iraq and Afghanistan last month. ``Captain Jay," the pilot of the C-130 that flew Romney into Baghdad -- who also happens to be blogger for Newsday -- wrote that as he disembarked, Romney gave him his ``personal coin."

``I wished him `Good Luck in '08,' " the pilot wrote, ``and we went our separate ways."

LISA WANGSNESS

Hennigan's comeback

She has been a public official for more than 20 years, but Maura Hennigan is having trouble keeping up with the fund-raising pace of her rival, Robert Dello Russo.

Dello Russo, a first-time candidate and court worker who is battling Hennigan for the job of Suffolk Superior Criminal Court clerk, has become a favorite of the politically connected. Since he started fund-raising in April, Dello Russo has pulled in $24,000, including donations from aides to Senate President Robert E. Travaglini and House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, for whom he once worked. He also received money from a political operative of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino; the current acting clerk, Joseph Rubino; and former clerk John Nucci, who vacated the seat to take a job at Suffolk University.

Hennigan, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Boston last year, jumped in the race sooner but so far has raised only $21,000. Her donation list also includes a few well-known names. Former governor Michael S. Dukakis, for example, gave her $100 and former House majority leader Richard A. Voke donated $200.

ANDREA ESTES

Hillary makes a stop

At least 300 people are expected to turn out tonight for a fund-raiser for US Senator Hillary Clinton at the Westin in Boston. . . . Lieutenant governor candidate Deborah Goldberg said she intends to spend up to $4 million in the primary. Her opponents, Worcester Mayor Timothy Murray and Andrea Silbert, have opted for the state's public financing system. . . . State Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly will be in Washington tomorrow for a meeting with US Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and the Federal Trade Commission chairman on high gas prices.

Check out Political Intelligence, the Globe's blog on Massachusetts politics, as well as other news from the campaign at www.boston.com/politics.