Decius wrote:
Republicans have long attacked "elite" segments of society (by which they mean well educated, rather than rich)...

Well... not really. As a political term, "elite" is normally used (primarily, by those on the right) to refer to those (primarily on the left, but of any political leaning) who (elite in their own minds) think they know how to run the lives of most other Americans better than those Americans know how to run their own lives. Those who think that way are justly criticized. Within that context, the term "elite" does not specifically refer to education or wealth, but an unjustified attitude of superiority that flies in the face of the phrase "we the people."

While there are certainly those on the right who tend to resent science when it contradicts their religious beliefs (e.g., evolution vs. creationism), there are also those on the left who resent science when it's inconvenient for them (e.g., denying that human life begins at conception). Those positions are sometimes referred to as being "anti-intellectual" or "resenting the well-educated," which is probably accurate more often than not, but that's different from criticism of the "elite" by the right (mainly Republicans).

As for Hillary Clinton's use (or misuse) of the term, she'll say anything that she thinks fits the moment. The gas tax holiday (as proposed by McCain and Clinton) is a silly idea, and those who oppose it (Obama) are simply applying common sense.

Decius wrote:
Its a bipartisan consensus! Being smart or informed is bad!

It's been that way for a long time, my friend. I agree with you, but I don't see this as anything new.

RE: Clinton dismisses 'elite' economists on gas tax plan | Reuters