Obama: Change 'beginning to take hold'

MIAMI, April 15 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Thursday told a rally of supporters in Florida "the change you fought for is beginning to take hold."

Speaking to a crowd estimated at 1,000 at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Obama said the U.S. economy is growing after a period of contraction and banks have repaid the federal government much of the money used to bail them out of a meltdown in 2008.

"The change you fought for is beginning to take hold," he said.

"Change is never easy, I don't know if you've noticed that," he said. "People hold onto the status quo, even when the status quo is not working for them."

The president pointed out that most American workers received a tax cut under the 2009 stimulus plan and said he's "been amused in recent days by these people having rallies" -- a reference to Tea Party events across the country to protest taxes.

"I think they should be saying thank you," he said.

Entertainers Gloria and Emilio Estefan's decision to host Obama at a fundraiser in Miami drew a mixed reaction from their Cuban-American admirers in Miami.

The Estefans were on those fans' good side last month when they led thousands of people in a Little Havana rally focused on issues in Communist-run Cuba. But they're drawing the ire of some of those supporters, many of whom vote Republican, with their decision to hold a reception for the Democratic National Committee Thursday evening at their Miami Beach home. About 100 people were expected to kick in more than $15,000 apiece, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

"People have been very upset," Ninoska Perez-Castellon, a director of the Cuban Liberty Council and a commentator on Spanish-language Radio Mambi, told the Sun-Sentinel. "It's one thing to have the ear of the president, but what's shocking is that they are doing a fundraiser for Democrats."

The venture into the political realm by the Estefans, long known for their work in the community, comes after Obama recently condemned the repression of dissidents in Cuba.

The reaction is not all negative.

Republican Eddie Diaz, a musician and former police officer, sees nothing wrong with the Estefans fraternizing with Democrats, who conservative-leaning Cuban-Americans fear will lift decades-long sanctions on Cuba.

"I think it's fantastic," he said. "If the Democrats can help with Cuba, so be it."