Elitist.. really?

After several weeks of learning about the United States past elections, it appears there is a reoccurring theme in the political fray, the negative tag of elitism. From the foundations of American Politics with the Federalist Party, we have seen that the connotation of being elitist is used as an attack against Presidential candidates under the assumption, how can one govern for the people, if they are not really of the people? From the "Bank War" battle against a moneyed aristocracy of 1832 and the heavily debated Tariffs in the 1880's, there has constantly been an issue between who a candidate represents, whether it be the rich or the poor, the "haves", and the "have nots." As seen through the recent news headlines, this is still an issue today. Obama has been tagged as Elitist in regard to a comment he made about small town voters, attacked by Hillary as "Elitist, out of touch and, frankly, patronizing." But is this long-standing issue used as a political weapon without any true basis? Dr. Drew Westen of Emory University in Atlanta believes so. Westen highlights "If you think you should be president, by definition you are an elitist, only because you believe that of the 300 million people in America, you are the best person to run it," and although simplistic, it is a valid point. It is difficult to argue that Presidential nominees are your everyday Joe or Jane Average, considering the amount of personal wealth that is committed to running as a candidate and considering that Obama and Clinton graduated from Harvard and Yale respectively. The attacks between presidential candidates Westen believes, and the result of this recent attack on Obama are part of the political game, and the skill of the politician, ""It's a little like when politicians charge politicians with being politicians. It has the same feel to it: that if it sticks, it's because a candidate hasn't handled it well." Hopefully, It is the actions of these nominees, each "elitist" in their own way, and how true their actions and words ring home with potential voters which will justify their nomination, not victory due to the degradation of another.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/16/elitism/index.html#cnnSTCText