Aha, a change of subject. Was she poking something sensitive?

She had wanted to challenge that "basket of deplorables" argument, at least on the grounds of being political poison. Dismissing someone who differed in opinion was a poor strategy towards persuading them to your cause. Empathy was called for.

"I suppose not," she said, although she hadn't gotten what she was after in the first place. "Are you going to be attending the campus feast?"