By Jessica Remo | NJ Advance Media

Earlier today, NJ Advance Media reported that Hillary Clinton was being paid $25,000 to speak at Rutgers University, for a speech about "politics, American democracy and her role in shaping women's political history." To some, this sounds like a nice chunk of change, especially considering that Clinton probably talks for free about "politics, American democracy and her role in shaping women's political history" every five minutes.

But to those who are familiar with the celebrity speaking circuit, it’s basically bubkes. Chump change. A drop in the DNC bucket.

Don't Edit

Stage at Rutgers Athletic Center where former Sec of State Hillary Clinton will give a speech at 4:30pm. Expected to discuss current politics, her place in history of women’s politics. Sponsored by Eagleton Institute of Politics. pic.twitter.com/5xJfGXh3Ob — Brenda Flanagan (@FlanaganNJTV) March 29, 2018

Consider that in 2015, no less a statesman than Matthew McConaughey was paid $135,000 (plus travel and expenses — alright, alright, alright!) to speak at the University of Houston, and that Katie Couric cleared $110,000 in 2006 from the University of Oklahoma (pre-recession, sure, but still impressive!).

In fact, Rutgers has a history of shelling out considerably more that $25,000 to notable speakers. Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison made $30,000 in 2011. Bill Moyers received $35,000 to speak in 2015. And — wait for it — Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi was given $32,000 for a Rutgers appearance that offered the sage advice, "Study hard, but party harder."

Snooki’s fee came out of a different fund than the one used to pay Clinton, and — granted — Snooki wasn’t giving a formal speech so much as spilling out her Snooki schtick.

Don't Edit

But still. In a lifetime of indignities — Bill and Monica; losing the Presidential election to a reality television star; that unfortunate India incident a few weeks ago when she fell down the steps (twice), lost her shoe, and later slipped in the hotel bathtub and fractured her wrist — is there anything worse than being paid $7K less than a woman who made her name blacking out on reality television and referring to herself as a “meatball"?

We think not.

Don't Edit

The conservative media, of course, pounced

They were all too happy to point out that in 2014, Clinton's standard fee for speeches at universities was $200,000.

Don't Edit

SHE CAN NO LONGER SELL INFLUENCE: Hillary Clinton is back in N.J. today for a sold-out event at Rutgers. She'll be paid $25K. https://t.co/X39jGEmXLB — Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) March 29, 2018

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Our statement on @HillaryClinton ‘s visit to @RutgersU. Please visits our Facebook page for sources. pic.twitter.com/Y9MCpnrx4c — Rutgers Republicans (@RutgersGOP) March 26, 2018

Don't Edit

But we offer this alternative viewpoint

Sure, Hillary might not be raking in the speaking fees as she once did. But did any of her conservative critics happen to publish a book that sold 300,000 copies in its first week of publication. With royalties like that, who needs mere pennies from Rutgers?

Don't Edit

Plus, we like to think that a post-2016 Hillary is a humbled and more modest Hillary — one who perhaps realizes that it isn't always the size of paycheck that matters, so much as the spirit inside.

To quote a much less divisive woman, Dolly Parton: "One is only poor, only if they choose to be."

Don't Edit

And take this, haters!

For all the talk about how Hillary is a has-been, keep in mind that Hillary's speech had to be moved to a larger venue in response to initial demand, that the 6,500 available tickets were snapped up in 30 minutes, and that — at the time of the speech's start time — more than 3,000 people were on a waitlist hoping they might get in.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

We caught up with so many students before the event who are excited to see @HillaryClinton #HillaryRU #Rutgers #UAA pic.twitter.com/vCQijo1wQZ — Rutgers Undergraduate Academic Affairs (@RutgersUAA) March 29, 2018

Don't Edit

Read more

Hillary Clinton draws 1,000 to N.J. appearance

And now, Bill Clinton will visit N.J. to back Murphy for governor

Snooki's advice to Rutgers students: 'Study hard, but party harder'

Don't Edit

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.