In the first installment of a six-part series, Politico and the polling firm Penn Schoen Berland have surveyed 227 “Washington elites” who

. . .must live within the D.C. metro area, earn more than $75,000 per year, have at least a college degree and be involved in the political process or work on key political issues or policy decisions.

The elites comprised a quarter of a total sample of 1,011 across the country. Unsurprisingly, the poll found divergent opinions between the two groups:

Obama is far more popular while Palin, the former Alaska governor, is considerably less so. To the vast majority of D.C. elites, the tea party movement is a fad. The rest of the nation is less certain, however, with many viewing it as a potentially viable third party in the future.
The survey also reveals to a surprising degree how those involved in the policymaking and the political process tend to have a much rosier view of the economy than does the rest of the nation — and, in some cases, dramatically different impressions of leading officeholders, political forces and priorities for governing.

While just 27 percent of Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction, 49 percent of Washington elites believe we’re on the right track. Similar numbers and splits characterize the two groups’ views on the economy. Why? For one thing, 74 percent of Washington elites said they have felt the recession less than most Americans.

The elites also have significantly different political priorities from the rest of America:

Sixty-five percent of the general population views Social Security as “very important,” compared with only 41 percent of Washington elites. The same goes for immigration — 53 percent of the general public says it’s very important, compared with 36 percent of Washington elites — and family values — 62 percent versus 23 percent, respectively.

More here.