What I mean to say is not that the LPC's choice for leader would be bullshit, but that, whatever their choice is, it's hard to imagine how they would be able to credibly separate themselves from what has made the LPC so unpopular.

So for that reason, I'm not sure why Freeland would be the obvious choice. If the Liberals want to win a federal election, I think she'd be a poor choice for party leader. Any barbs that could be directed at Trudeau could be easily directed at Freeland. From an optics standpoint, I don't think it's possible to differentiate Freeland from Trudeau, and the Liberal party of the past decade. That's a problem that I think would override who she is or her credentials, at least in the public eye.

As I understand it, because she is the Deputy PM, she wouldn't be allowed to replace Trudeau unless she lost her position first, which would basically mean the Liberals would have to lose government this next election. Only afterwards could she possibly run for party leader afterwards.