Why do you think it was condescending?
Cindie
I guess because it implies a certain lack of seriousness of purpose. Like, “Gee, I’d rather be shopping, but I guess I’ll go to listen to a presidential candidate instead”. Also, it’s not as if Calista would ever be in a Walmart, so it sounds little patronizing to me.
Of course, context is everything here. I merely read the words, while those who were there heard them. And a poster who was there commented that the line went over well.