In a recent CBS News/YouGov survey conducted between December 6-8, 2023, it has been revealed that President Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war is facing disapproval from the majority of Americans. Few believe that his administration's actions are bringing the conflict closer to a peaceful resolution. Additionally, a growing number of Democrats feel that Biden is showing too much support for Israel, causing divisions within his own party.

Regarding pro-Palestinian protests taking place in the U.S., most Americans would prefer Biden to either take no position on these demonstrations or condemn them. However, there is a higher percentage of people who want him to condemn the protests rather than support them. Particularly, Republicans are looking for his condemnation, while a quarter of Democrats seek his support. Interestingly, older Americans, specifically Gen X and Baby Boomers, tend to lean towards wanting more condemnation, regardless of whether they are college-aged or not.

Despite the disapproval of his handling of the conflict, Biden's overall approval rating remains steady at 41%. It is worth noting that the Israel-Hamas war is not considered one of the top problems in the U.S., ranking below inflation, the state of democracy, the border, and gun violence.

Inflation has had a significant impact on Americans, not just on their pocketbooks but also on their perception of opportunity in the country. Many feel that the economic troubles of recent years have been tougher than previous generations have faced. People tend to prioritize their personal experiences over macroeconomic measures, with an overwhelming number stating that their incomes are not keeping pace with inflation. There is a prevailing sentiment that the middle class is not benefiting from increasing opportunities, which contradicts the traditional notion of the American Dream.

Americans believe that the economic difficulties caused by the pandemic have been the worst in a couple of generations. This sentiment surpasses the impact of the 2008-09 financial crisis, recessions in the 90s and 80s, as well as the inflation and gas shortages of the 1970s. The majority of Americans pay more attention to their personal experiences rather than economic figures such as job growth, GDP, and inflation. Furthermore, three-quarters of respondents feel that their incomes are not keeping up with inflation, contributing to the perception that opportunities are only increasing for the wealthy.

When it comes to controlling inflation, there is a lack of consensus among Americans. More interest rate hikes are not widely supported, particularly by those in the lowest income bracket. Similarly, Americans are not willing to see unemployment rise if it means dampening inflation. Interestingly, when asked about government price controls, a significant number of Americans expressed support, including Democrats and more than half of Republicans.

Most Americans believe that a president has the power to control inflation, a viewpoint consistent with previous decades. While the complexity of the global economy may impact the accuracy of their assessment, the high inflation rates contribute to President Biden's poor handling approval ratings. People attribute inflation to international factors, suspicion of companies overcharging, and government spending. Inflation remains the primary reason people believe the economy is in a bad state.

Opinions on President Biden's legislative record on the economy, including the Build Back Better Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, are mixed. Many Americans, including those in his own party, feel they have not heard enough about these policies. The lack of awareness regarding these acts potentially hinders their assessment and evaluation.

The survey conducted by CBS News in 1979 and 2017 used telephone interviews with respondents using RDD samples. The most important problem item from 1979 was coded based on open-ended responses.