Clinton as communicator, from Wellesley to campaign trail

NEW YORK – Hillary Clinton has said it herself: She’s not the most naturally gifted public communicator.

Yet her first public speech was a star-making one, landing her in a Life magazine write-up at the tender age of 21.

She was a senior at Wellesley and the first student chosen to address a commencement there when she rebuked a U.S. senator invited to speak before her.

She’s had plenty of debating experience since then.

Clinton has obvious strengths, like her preparation.

But she can also sound scripted, especially in contrast to her husband, a gifted empathizer.

She’s also known to be guarded.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center says people who support Clinton consider her thoughtful, while those who oppose her say she is hiding something.