TV and the Candidates: Who's the Elitist?

I notice the media and pundits and Hillary Clinton (in the past) accuse Barak Obama of being elitist. The implication at this point in the 2008 Presidential Campaign is that John McCain is not elitist.

But let’s evaluate the candidates’ respective “elitism” by what they watch. It’ll be subjective, irresponsible and completely fun.

According to EW.com John McCain’s favorite television programs include.

• Seinfeld. A relative oldie but excellent goodie frequently broadcast in syndication on a variety of cable and broadcast networks.
• Curb Your Enthusiasm. Just like Seinfeld only “edgier” with lots of cursing and worse behavior broadcast on HBO.
• Dexter. A high quality anti-hero mystery/drama broadcast on Showtime.
• The Wire. One of the highest quality shows on television that demands patience and careful attention and rewards the viewer like a well paced novel.It also highlights important, difficult and often ignored economic and social issues relating to poverty, race, crime and politics.It is broadcast by HBO.
• 24. He admires President Wayne Palmer and seems to be a fan of the action and adventure in this high paced show broadcast on FOX.
• American Idol. He doesn’t vote on this FOX show, but his wife says she did once and that is news to him.
• Big Love. His wife watches this, a tale about a polygamist household broadcast on HBO.

I conclude from this list that McCain watches a lot of premium cable.

EW.com either did not ask or Barak Obama did not offer opinions regarding current, scripted television shows. From the article it appears he watches

• SportsCenter. Broadcast daily on ESPN.
• Basketball games. Likely broadcast on ABC, CBS, ESPN and TNT.
• American Idol. He probably does not watch, but his his wife and daughters do follow this reality competition broadcast on FOX.
• The Wire. According to this, Obama watches the HBO show as well.

I conclude from this less than exhaustive list that Barak Obama does not watch much premium cable.

So, questions: Is watching more premium cable than basic cable and broadcast networks elitist? Is an interest in well scripted, critically acclaimed, low rated television programs elitist?

I think John McCain is a television elitist. And I applaud him for it.