( CNN ) President Barack Obama sought to reclaim some ownership over an issue that is suddenly a hot topic among top Republicans , telling an audience on Friday that he welcomes his rival party focusing on income inequality , but questioned whether it was anything more than talk . `` Now that their grand predictions of doom and gloom and death panels and Armageddon have n't come true . The sky has n't fallen , chicken little is quiet , '' Obama said . `` The new plan is to re-brand themselves as the party of the middle class . I am not making this up . '' To laughs from the Democratic National Committee audience in Washington , D.C. , Obama added : `` I am encouraged they are speaking about middle class and about wages . But there is this old saying , you ca n't just talk the talk . ... You 've got to walk the walk . '' Income inequality and the growing gap between the richest and poorest Americans has become a primary issue in the 2016 election and many Republicans vying for the party 's nomination have focused on the issue . The comments have not gone unnoticed by Democrats and the White House . `` We 're facing right now a divided America when it comes to the economy , '' said Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , after Obama 's January address to the nation . `` Income inequality has worsened under this administration , '' Sen. Rand Paul , R-Kentucky , said after the President 's State of the Union speech . On Friday , Obama took on Paul directly , noting that the 2016 hopeful once said his party needs to show up `` up on the South Side of Chicago '' and shout `` at the top of our lungs : 'We are the party of jobs and opportunity . ' '' `` I think that is encouraging that he wants to go to the South Side of Chicago , '' Obama said with a smile . `` I was just home on the South Side of Chicago yesterday and I guarantee you that Senator Paul would be welcome there . We are a friendly bunch . '' Obama added : `` I mean , it is a little strange if people show up and just start shouting on the top of their lungs . But we are friendly , it would be OK. '' When Obama first mentioned Paul , some in the audience groaned at his name . Hearing this , Obama said , `` No , Rand is an interesting guy . '' The President views the improving economy after a difficult recession as a potential cornerstone of his legacy . In the foreword to a report on the nation 's brightening fiscal picture from the White House Counsel of Economic Advisors , Obama writes `` the United States has just concluded a breakthrough year . '' RELATED : Elizabeth Warren 's supporters look for their next win . Obama has made fewer references to the issue of income inequality in recent months in favor the term `` middle class economics , '' which was a major theme of his State of the Union speech . Aides to the President insist GOP leaders have flocked to the issue of income inequality only in an attempt to diminish Democratic claims to the nation 's improving economy . Before the speech , a White House official said Obama would use his DNC speech to call out Republicans for what he sees as hypocrisy . `` So far , at least , the rhetoric has not matched the reality , '' Obama said on Friday . `` I think the shift in rhetoric that they are engaging in is good , if it actually leads them to take different actions . If it does n't , then it is just spin . '' The President also seemed to lightly touch on recent comments by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani , who said earlier this week that he does n't think President Barack Obama `` loves America . '' `` This is not just a sports contest , this Is not just who 's up and down at any given point , it 's not about notches on a belt , it 's not about ideological battles an proving how smart you are , '' Obama said . `` It 's about making this nation we love more perfect . '' Republicans , in response to most positive economic numbers , have said there are still glaring vulnerabilities in the nation 's recovery . `` After spending the last six years growing Washington instead of the middle class , it 's no surprise President Obama can only point fingers rather than point to meaningful success , '' said Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Short . `` The reality is Americans have suffered under the slowest economic recovery in modern times , and on his watch , the middle class lost its status as being the world 's richest as more and more families fall out rather than move up . '' House Republicans have had a similar response to the President 's message . `` There 's a reason why the Democratic Party has lost the House , the Senate , governorships , and more than 900 state legislative seats in recent years . President Obama 's liberal agenda has left America 's working class families behind , '' Boehner spokesman Cory Fritz said .
President Obama said he welcomed Republicans talking about income inequality `` if it actually leads them to take different actions '' but not at the expense of those who are already struggling. The President views the improving economy after a difficult recession as a potential cornerstone of his legacy .