Piper Sandler analysts have labeled both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as weak candidates in the current political race, pointing to unforced errors by both.
"It was predictable Kamala Harris would energize Democrats, get extremely favorable press coverage and close in on Donald Trump's lead. But the tightening of the race is also due to some unforced errors on Trump's part," the Piper Sandler analysts noted.
They highlighted Trump's selection of JD (NASDAQ:JD) Vance, a controversial figure. "[His] vulnerability could not have been more obvious," said Piper Sandler. "He is adored by Don Jr., Tucker Carlson, and Steve Bannon (who apparently swayed Trump into selecting him) precisely because he says inflammatory things they eat up but also turn off the vast majority of the electorate."
On the other side, Harris's choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate is seen as equally risky. Walz is described as "one of the most liberal governors in the country" by the firm, which adds that his positions may alienate crucial swing voters.
The analysts argue that Harris's pick seems to be an attempt to appease the progressive wing of her party rather than appealing to a broader electorate.
"He has also misrepresented his military service, which could put the campaign on the defensive," says Piper Sandler.
Both candidates are accused of prioritizing their base over reaching out to swing voters, which the firm believes could be a critical error in a closely divided country.
"Trump and Harris are both weak candidates," the analysts concluded, noting that the outcome of the race remains highly uncertain as the battle for swing voters intensifies.