President Obama 's rivals have accused him of having an elitist agenda . Presidential candidates are elite by definition , says journalist Michael West . Charge of elitism is not new in politics . Portraying their rivals as latte-sipping , sushi-eating insiders , Republicans have connected with some voters by arguing that they understand the values important to the everyday person . The toxicity of the charge depends on how it 's handled , Westen says .
President Obama 's rivals have accused him of having an elitist agenda . Presidential candidates are elite by definition , says journalist Michael West . Charge of elitism is not new in politics . The toxicity of the charge depends on how it 's handled , Westen says .