Is this a backhanded attempt to call some anti-Miers elitist? We know that's just not true.
hardly backhanded. It flat out states the rationale for those who make the charge. In fact, it is patently self evident that, if the formulation is true, then those that hold to this position are absolutely being elitists, in every since of the word.
As to what "we know," I don't think you and I would agree on who "we" are, nor on what anyone can be said to know at this point in the debate. Anyone who claims that they have all the information they'll ever need and refuse to look at any other evidence are just a bit too arrogant and ignorant for my tastes.
Helluva combination.