WASHINGTON — President Obama ridiculed Republicans on Friday, describing them as seeking to mimic the Democratic Party’s message to the middle class even as they pursue policies that enrich the wealthy.

In a speech at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee, Mr. Obama highlighted the economic progress the country has made during his time in office and pushed back against attacks on his record from Republicans who are already gearing up for the 2016 presidential campaign.

The president spent much of the speech assailing what he said was the hypocrisy of Republicans, who he said have recently tried to convince Americans that they care about the fate of the middle class.

“I’m encouraged that they’re speaking about middle class and speaking about wages,” Mr. Obama said with a sarcastic tone that betrayed what he really thought was going on. “But there is this old saying that you can’t just talk the talk.”