Stefanie wrote:

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."

I agree with most of what you've said here but I think you are being disingenuous when you argue that the term "elite" is used to refer only to those who think they know how to run other people's lives. Conservatives are constantly trying to sell the idea that their party is interested in individual liberty and "leaving well enough alone" and frankly I don't find it credible at all. The term "elite" is constantly used by conservative commentators in the context of attacking law professors and the supreme court when the constitution is interpreted in such a way that it prevents conservative efforts to control people's lives with legislation. For example, a google search for "liberal elite" aclu returns about 13,000 results. Show me someone who thinks that Republican party is the party of individual freedom and I will show you someone who has rationalized that freedom and power mean the same thing.

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