Michigan Democrats view Biden's future as the nominee with mixed emotions as the embattled president vows to stay in the race

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Like the Democratic lawmakers who represent them, Michigan Democrats are split on what should happen with the top of the presidential ticket come November. 

But despite the party infighting over whether President Biden should step aside, suburban voters in the battleground state are united on one thing: they will vote against Donald Trump.

Biden headed back to Michigan on Friday where he delivered a fiery speech in his first campaign stop back in the crucial state since his poor debate performance more than two weeks ago set off alarms.

His performance over the past few weeks and the debate fallout has shaken Michigan Democrats, but they have mixed responses on how to proceed. 

'I'm a lifelong Democrat who supports the Democratic agenda, and I have been a supporter of Joe Biden,' said Peter Dolan, 70, from Bloomfield Township. 

'I think it's time for him to step out and for another person to run based upon the challenge that he set up for himself,' Dolan said referring to Biden's push for the debate and stumbling performance. 

President Biden vowed to stay in the race and win Michigan during a defiant campaign rally in Detroit where he shot back at critics accusing them of giving Donald Trump a pass

Dolan praised Biden's first term as outstanding, but he is worried about the next four years. If Biden does not step aside though, he will vote for him. 

'I think that Donald Trump is a menace and a complete threat to America. He plays to our worst instincts,' Dolan said. 

Al Dixon agrees. He was a lifelong Republican until Trump ran in 2016.

'I'd like to vote no,' Dixon said. 'I'm not happy with either candidate, but the only reason I'm not happy with Biden is he's too old. I'm 79. I know what I can't do now that I used to. He's older than I am.'

Dixon said if Biden is the nominee he will vote for him, but he's not pleased. At the same time, he called Trump a 'cancer on the country.' 

Paul Jacques, 54, from Bloomfield Hills also said he's 'definitely voting non-Trump' but he isn't sure who he would like to see at the top of the Democratic ticket. 

'I think it's time to look at somebody younger and fresh,' Jacques said, but if push comes to shove, Biden has his vote. 

'The far right is just crazy, it's out of control. I think there's crazy on both sides right now, I think everything is a mess,' he said. 'But the ideologies of the far right are just not my beliefs.'

President Biden walking into Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12 with pastor Cindy Rudolph. During his stop he laid out what he will do in the first 100 days of his second term

Democrats in the suburbs of Detroit had mixed reaction over whether Biden should stay in the race but his supporters at the rally chanted 'don't quit' and 'four more years' throughout his remarks

President Biden won Michigan in 2020 by just over 150,000 votes after Trump turned the state red in 2016. 

Biden flipped the state back with strong turnout in urban areas as Trump lost ground with seniors and white college educated voters.

But it is unclear whether Biden will be able to hold the state, part of his blue wall, with dropping enthusiasm and strong criticism among some including young voters and members of Michigan's large Arab population over his handling of the war in Gaza.

The average of the latest presidential polls out of Michigan has Trump up by less than one point. It is going to be a razor-thin race.

'I wish there were other choices for the Democrats that we could put in there,' said Sharon Jesse, 52, from Farmington Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. 

She called Biden's debate performance 'sad' to watch. 

Jesse thinks Vice President Harris should now be at the top of the ticket, but she said if Biden stays in the race, she will vote for him.

Vice President Kamala Harris during a visit to Detroit on May 6, 2024. Democratic Michigan voters both at Biden's campaign event on July 12 and in the nearby suburbs praised her being on the ticket noting 'she doesn't mince her words' and is 'very intelligent' 

Another name floated by Michigan voters is Pete Buttigieg, but they don't expect it to happen. 

Others also said they're frustrated with Biden at the top of the ticket but believe the time for talk has ended. 

'I think Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot. I think there's too much conversation. I think they need to make a decision and stay with it,' said Bonnie, 74. She said Biden should not be the nominee but in November, she's with him '100 percent.'

But it's hard to see the president dropping out of the race after his visit Friday night. He vowed to win Michigan again and took aim at critics as press, pundits and 'insiders.'

His energized crowd in attendance chanted 'four more years' and 'don't you quit.' He avoided any catastrophic flubs and landed some zingers against Trump.

The view from behind the press riser as Biden delivered remarks at his Detroit campaign event. A campaign official estimated there were 2,000 people in attendance

Biden's supporters at his event carrying signs including 'Motown is Joetown' and 'We love Joe' on July 12

While some in the Detroit suburbs not in attendance wished for the next generation, not everyone DailyMail.com spoke with yearned for another option. Biden still has some unwavering backers in Oakland county.

'I'm very positively with Biden,' said Evelyn Smith, 75, from Southfield, MI.

Smith was not happy with Democratic lawmakers including one in Michigan calling for Biden to drop out of the race. 

'I think it's kind of foolish right now because we're almost there,' Smith said. 'We've got to go forward and trust. If something happens, then we'll deal with it.'

She said they need to 'give him a break' and argued he's doing a great job. 

Toni who declined to give her last name said she understands how some concerned Democrats are feeling but she too is confident in Biden.

'He's old, but I believe that with age comes wisdom. Even though his body is failing him, even though he mixes up names, which I do and I'm 65, I believe his experience and his integrity is the right combination for this time in history.'

People gathered in Michigan to get a glimpse of President Biden during his visit to the state

While some Michigan voters were all to happy to talk politics as their votes hold incredible weight in the looming election, the race has also been a source of anxiety and fear. 

Some Democratic voters DailyMail.com approached said they could not watch the news because it's 'stressful.' 

One woman said she's 'scared to death' of Trump. Another visibly shuddered at the mention of the upcoming election.

An 88-year-old man said 2024 has given him depression.

'It's difficult to see the light at the end of tunnel,' he said. Watching the debate, he thought it had lost Biden the race. He has since regained some hope for his party.