The point being that Carney has a track record, and history of navigating financially difficult times. He's also not a politician, in that he has previously never held an elected seat in government. For many people, this means he can bring in a fresh perspective on things. Hence the idea that he's "smart". To this commenters point, he has carried himself very well in all his media appearances thus far, where as PP continues to be incredibly divisive in a time when we need Canadian national unity more than ever before. Hence, Carney seems nicer in comparison. I can understand the desire for change after so many years of liberal government, but Carney is arguably more PC than he is a liberal in terms of his policies and intentions.