Criticism of Harriet Miers never had anything to do with elitism, that's a complete straw-man argument. "The New Republic" is obviously just trying to marginalize conservatives within the Republican party by branding us "elitist"
Not true. Ann Coulter's screed against Miers is all about Miers' law school not being "good enough" in Coulters' mind.
The conservatives that a New Republic writer or editor in Washington would be likely to know are people of similar background to New Republic staffers. Hence that means Ivy Leaguers and highflying elitists. This is sort of a "I polled everyone I know, and they all think ..." article.