WASHINGTON (AP) — Taunting Republicans, President Barack Obama on Friday said it's "not an accident" that the economy is improving under his watch and chided GOP critics for "doom and gloom" predictions that haven't come true.

Obama said he welcomed the attention Republicans have been giving to the middle class, "but so far at least the rhetoric has not matched the reality."

In a speech to the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting, Obama gave a rousing defense of his economic policies and promoted his agenda as the right policy and political prescriptions for Democrats heading into the 2016 elections. He said the party's belief in "middle class economics," including his health care law, has spurred economic growth and job creation.

"I just want everybody to remember that at every step as we made these policies, made this progress, we were told by our good friends the Republicans that our actions would crush jobs, explode deficits and destroy the country," he told the partisan crowd. "If we were actually to look at the evidence, it's pretty clear who's theory of how to grow the economy and make sure American people are prospering, which theory works. We know their ideas don't work."

With the economic recovery showing signs of taking hold, Democrats and Republicans have turned their attention to improving wages for working class Americans. While incomes have increased modestly recently, they hardly make up for decades of paycheck stagnation.

Both sides, however, have distinctly different views of how to boost wages. Democrats want increases in the minimum wage, while Republicans call for fewer regulations and taxes on business to free more capital that could be used for wage growth.

"If you are serious, if you are really troubled with income inequality," Obama said, "then you can't put forward proposals that give more tax breaks to folks who are doing the best."

While Obama said he was willing to hear Republican ideas for helping the middle class, he also argued that the best way for Republicans to prove their commitment was by supporting his call for a higher minimum wage.

"The shift in rhetoric that they're engaging in is good if it actually leads them to take different actions," he said.

Following his remarks, Obama was to attend a Democratic fundraiser with 25 supporters paying $33,400 to attend.

BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)