The hundreds die-hard Democrats who turned out to see Joe Biden on Friday didn’t need much convincing.
The US president received an enthusiastic response to his loudly delivered remarks at a campaign rally in Wisconsin – especially when he attacked his Republican rival Donald Trump.
But as some major Democratic donors and lawmakers appeal to Mr Biden to exit the presidential race, even some of his most ardent supporters here in Madison are keeping an open mind about whether he might be replaced – and what might come next.
“It’s OK to change our minds,” said rally attendee Catherine Emmanuelle.
Ms Emmanuelle, 44, paused and considered her thoughts carefully before outlining her opinion.
She stressed that she was impressed with Mr Biden’s 17-minute speech, which she called a “presidential litmus test”.
Catherine Emmanuelle was pleased with the president’s performance – but said she wasn’t afraid of a tough conversation about the future of his candidacy
Mr Biden is under tremendous scrutiny after a disastrous debate performance last week, marked by a raspy voice and several instances where he lost his train of thought.
The president, 81, is facing a tide of doubts about his mental acuity and ability to beat Trump, 78, in November’s election.
Friday’s rally, held in this reliably Democratic town in a critical swing state, was an indication of the support Mr Biden still has in many parts of the country.
But the raucous crowd, which waited through several opening speakers and a hour-long delay from the planned start time, was also shot through with low-grade anxiety.
“I’m worried about his capacity to beat Trump,” said Thomas Leffler, a 33-year-old health researcher.
“As he gets older, I think it’s going to increasingly be an issue. But I’ll vote blue no matter what,” he said – a reference the Democratic Party’s signature colour.
Only the ‘Lord Almighty’ could compel me to quit – Biden
Thomas Leffler with a beard and glasses smiling
Thomas Leffler was in a crowd of several hundred who came out to see President Biden
Mr Leffler suggested that picking a new candidate might have unexpected benefits for his party.
Earlier this year, both the president and Trump secured the delegates needed to be their party’s respective presumptive candidates.
The Democrats’ nominee will officially be chosen at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from 19-22 August.
On Friday, Mr Biden was defiant about staying in the race, telling the crowd: “I am running and going to win again.”
Some of the biggest cheers on Friday came when the president directly went after his predecessor.
“Trump is not just a convicted criminal,” he said. “He’s a one man crime wave.”
The prospect of a second Trump administration was an animating factor for many who came to the rally.
“During the debate, he told a bunch of lies,” said Greg Hovel, 67. “How is that any worse than what Biden did?”
Greg Hovel in a blue shirt and glasses
Greg Hovel said he was upset at recent Supreme Court decisions and Donald Trump’s rhetoric
Mr Hovel said he believed the country was in a “great place” and that Mr Biden didn’t get enough credit for his economic and pandemic recovery policies.
“At this point, in the next six weeks, the Democratic Party is going to have to make up its mind” whether to retain Mr Biden as their candidate or pick someone new, he said.
But the president’s performance on Friday further bolstered something he strongly believed, even before the speech.
“I think Biden can win,” he said.
BBC