Obama ‘amused’ by Tea Party rallies

President Barack Obama struck a hyperpartisan note Thursday,
telling Democrats that he was “amused” by the Tax Day Tea Party rallies.

Obama, addressing a Democratic National Committee (DNC) fundraiser
in Miami, did little to endear himself to the Tea Party groups
protesting around the country, saying “they should be saying thank you”
because of the tax cuts he has signed into law.

{mosads}The president went as far as to say that this week’s special
election in Florida, which was won by Democrat Ted Deutch, was
portrayed by Republicans as “a referendum on healthcare, a referendum
on the stimulus.”

“And you know what, it was,” Obama said to applause.

Obama
continued to dare Republicans to run on a platform of repealing
healthcare reform, telling the audience “they won’t be very successful.”

Despite the president’s confidence, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine told the
crowd that they should assume that Democrats are “running into a headwind” in the November midterms.

Kaine said Democrats, who
gathered at one of two fundraisers that raised about $2.5 million for
the party, are the underdogs this year.

“You don’t mind being the underdog, you don’t mind running into a headwind, you don’t mind an uphill race,” Kaine said. “You don’t mind being the underdog. Becasue that’s what Democrats do. We are the underdogs.”

Obama also continued to try to make the case that a vote against
financial regulatory reform is a vote on behalf of Wall Street and
against Main Street.

“Every member of Congress is soon going to have to make a decision, but the choice is going to be very simple
between special interests and the American people,” Obama said.

The president was returning to Washington on Thursday night.