Opinion Weekend
February 17-18, 2024
Americans’ concern about Biden’s age is high, but unchanged after special counsel report Kathy Frankovic & David Montgomery, YouGov The Economist/YouGov Poll has shown for months that many Americans consider President Biden's age — 81 — to be a concern. The latest poll shows these concerns remain widespread, but haven't increased in the wake of a report last week from special counsel Robert K. Hur that raised questions about the president’s mental capabilities.
How Americans view the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, and China and Taiwan Jordan Lippert, Pew Research Center Two years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 74% of Americans view the war there as important to U.S. national interests – with 43% describing it as very important. Similar shares see the war between Israel and Hamas (75%) and tensions between China and Taiwan (75%) as important to U.S. national interests, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted Jan. 22-28.
Where Americans stand on 20 transgender policy issues Taylor Orth, YouGov There is no broad consensus in the U.S. when it comes to policies that affect transgender people. No more than six in 10 Americans line up on the same side of any of 40 policies that either expand or restrict rights and protection for transgender people.
CBS News poll finds most Black Americans see more opportunities than parents but feel more needs to be done Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News Black Americans see more opportunity today than past generations but feel more still needs to be done. Americans generally agree racism remains a problem, but differences over its extent and what should be done still bring some division. On many of these matters concerning race, political partisanship divides opinions of White Americans. White Democrats tend to be more closely aligned with those of Black Americans.
Can we talk? Many Americans feel speaking about race draws more criticism than encouragement — CBS News poll Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News Most say they see challenges in talking about race today. Many — including most Black and White Americans — worry that speaking their minds on race draws criticism, not encouragement. Most believe teaching about the history of race in America helps students understand what others have gone through. And more Americans think teaching it makes people more racially tolerant today than less so.
Consumer sentiment essentially unchanged from January University of Michigan Consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged from January, rising 0.6 index points this month and solidifying the large gains from the past two months. The fact that sentiment lost no ground this month suggests that consumers continue to feel more assured about the economy, confirming the considerable improvements in December and January across various aspects of the economy.
