Obama rips GOP at Democratic fundraiser

WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama used a congressional Democratic fundraiser in Washington to jab critics of his domestic and economic plans.

Obama, speaking Thursday at a joint fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, ripped Republicans who have criticized the administration's efforts on economic stimulus spending and reforms to the nation's healthcare financial regulatory systems, The Hill reported.

After ticking off legislation that he has signed into law, Obama took on Republicans who have attacked his administration for several of his big and costly initiatives.

Obama said many of his actions have "not necessarily (been) popular," warning the criticisms of his administration will step up as he tackles more issues, the Washington publication said.

"But that's the nature of things," Obama said. "This is when the criticism gets louder. This is when the pundits get impatient. This is when the cynicism mounts."

Obama challenged critics of his healthcare plan, dismissing Republican proposals for tax cuts for the uninsured as same-old, same-old while asking, "What's your plan?"

"Don't tell me that all you're offering is meager tax cuts to uninsured Americans," Obama said. "Don't present that as a new idea. That's the same idea that's been proposed for the last eight years."

Republicans called Obama's appearance at the Democratic fundraiser hypocritical because he has pledged not to accept donations from lobbyists.

"This is the height of hypocrisy and just one more example of President Obama's rhetoric not squaring with reality," Michael Steele, Republican National Committee chairman, said in a statement. "Candidate Obama said lobbyists and special interests will not fund the Democratic Party, but now the Democrats are cashing their checks as fast as they come in, 364 days a year."