Elitism may have its place, but it isn't here and now.
Elitism, as in being of blue-blood birth, has no place in the USA government.
However, we are not talking birth here, but training and experience and character. Miers has neither the training nor the experience of a Thomas or Scalia. Whether she has the character to stick with her current putative conservative beliefs is questionable.
The use of the terms 'elite' and 'elitism' in the Miers discussion is empty. The other candidates aren't of elite birth or Ivy League schools. And if you want to compare to Rehnquist, you have to note that he was not of 'elite' birth, but was just damn smart and capable. Are you arguing that the Supreme Court isn't a place for the smart, capable and well trained?