Republicans as well as the news in general like to throw around the term elitism as if it were synonymous with intellectualism and never point out the differences. They understand that elitism if not properly defined is usually understood, by a large population of Americans, to describe someone of upper class and thus generally well educated. Not having to worry about money an elitist is assumed to not worry about the hardships of the middle and lower classes and to think of lofty ideas. Obama, through is past records and his stances on political and social issues, has proven he isn't an elitist. what he is, is an intellectual and that is not a bad thing. To have someone who is actually smart and open to intellectual ideas and dialog in the Whitehouse would be nice for a change.

I don't think McCain is completely an elitist but he does have traces of elitism. The multiple homes speak only a little, it is his views on how things must be done, the one way things must be done that would put him in the classification of elitists. His views that decisions he mates are right for other members of society even if the consequences of those decisions will never physically impact him help to put him as an elitist.

Lastly we have seen what happens when we let someone we(some) would want to sit down and have a beer or meal with, that average joe somebody that could be our friend stay, in the Whitehouse. It hasn't worked, i would rather have a competent and compassionate, as well as well educated person commanding the most deadly military in the world. Actually i would rather sit down and have a meal with that kind of person anyway as well.

The answer to that question is the same as the answer to the following questions, which are related: Who has more money? Who has worked in Washington D.C. far longer? Who has more houses? Who has more cars? Whose family had more prestige, money, and power? Who was pals with millionaire crook Keating? I can't see how someone who pulled himself up by his own bootstraps, as the GOP always encourages people to do, then took a job helping those less fortunate in the Chicago are when he could have gotten any number of high paying jobs from firms, can be considered high falutin', or elite.

In what sense of the word?

Obama knows what life is like on food stamps. So were not talkin a blue blood elitist with Obama. McCain didn't grow up financially elite either, but he sure married into it.

If you are speaking intellectually elite, I'm gonna say Obama. He graduated with a juris doctor, magna cum laude from Harvard. You can see in the way he presents himself, the way he speaks, his common sense that he is very intelligent. McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy 894 out of 899. Neither cred is anything to laugh at but, if I were a boss, who would I hire? It gets even more obvious when you ask what "team" would I hire.

Bah, I'm going crazy reading everyone's definition of elitist. Yes, Ink's right, yes, Pyg's right, and yes, Jamais is right.

None of you are wrong. The dictionary has a definition, so did Plato's Republic, then there's what most people think when they hear the word "elitist."

When asked "which candidate is the elitist," that last definition described by Jamais is what people are thinking for the most part, not the dictionary or Plato's definitions.

So that is the arguement. You can't put forth an arguement, knowing very well people are going to view the arguement in one context, then just switch the context around. Even if it's supported by dictionaries and philosophers.

You really think anyone looks up the definition of words before spewing forth opinions ink?

And Pyg, seriusly, Plato? I made a Robert Frost reference on some dance arguement. I'm pretty sure my rating is down like 10% now. Consider the audience.

ah mcCain you did it again =P

Something bothers me more than McCain's sugar mama enabling him to be monetarily wealthy while calling Obama an elitist. It's the underlying idea as others have already pointed out that being intellectual makes you elite somehow. Higher education is something that should be commended, not frowned upon. This is the real problem. McCain makes jokes about and is proud of being just about the worst academically in his class and people out there want that in a leader? They want someone who was a terrible student and a terrible soldier? Someone whose presidential campaign deemed the Straight Talk Express is mangled and manipulated by his party as we sit and watch?

That someone like this can say anything and be taken seriously, much less be in the running for the highest political position in this country makes us all look like fools.