Hillary Clinton commanding $200,000 to speak

Hillary Clinton has been circumspect with her plans for 2016, and it's her silence that is driving fascination, speculation and, naturally, big bucks for speaking fees.

The former Secretary of State and first lady gave her first paid speech Wednesday night in Dallas, commanding a reported $200,000 for her National Multi-Housing Council appearance.

But even though she's raking in some serious cash, those in attendance are likely to be disappointed -- at least if they're hoping for a hint to her presidential plans.

“I think the expectation can be pretty low, because her value is both as a celebrity and as someone … quite familiar and conversant on world affairs,” Jeff Gerth, co-author of “Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Clinton,” told Politico. "And I think she’ll be cautious in whatever she says, which has been her trademark for at least the last couple of decades, ever since she said, ‘I’m not gonna stay home and bake cookies."

After eight years as the first lady and four years as the country's' top diplomat, Clinton is an experienced speaker.

“She been a public person for most of her life and part of her persona is how she expresses her ideas,” said reporter Carl Bernstein, who wrote "A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton." “She’s a very serious person and ideas matter to her.”

“This new period of her life is a great opportunity for her to try all things out" until she makes a decision, he said.