The video below is highly inspirational and conclusively decries the patronizing "Elitism" charge.
Obama speaks at Campus Progress' 2006 National Student Conference, discussing the challenges of community organizing.
Barack speaks about what inspired him to follow his conscience. As a highly intelligent an charismatic individual, he had the opportunity to follow a path to riches that many could envy. Despite his own financial hardship, he chose instead to sacrifice wealth and position to use his passion and skills to help others.
When he speaks of people being 'bitter' and 'clinging' to the familiar and secure, he is branded an elitist. However, just as there is a clear difference between being 'Black & White' and racism, or 'Men & Women' and sexism, there is a clear distinction between 'Elitism' and 'Elite'. Elitism is a belief that you are better than others and has no connection with the desire to understand others. Elite is a gift and a privilege which can be used to benefit yourself, or in some exceptional cases, to benefit mankind.
Few could argue his status as 'Elite'. In many ways, it is a prerequisite for being a leader, especially one where the role requires him to represent his country amongst the rest of the world. One only has to look at the present 'intellectually deficient' administration to understand why America has lost some respect from other developed nations.
America is a great country, full of opportunity and the most optimistic nation on earth. It deserves better than an inarticulate leader. It's time to replace embarrassment with pride and parochial obsession with global cooperation.
If you had to trust your life to a surgeon, you would choose the 'Elite', so it should be when you trust your nation to a president.
Even if you have seen this speech already it's definitely worth a view.
CT