It's "smart" when compared to the previously employed strategy that was "vote for anyone, but United Russia candidate". Now the idea is to consolidate opposition votes for a single candidate in every electoral district that has the best chance to win over the main governmental candidate.

The list of candidates has very little to do with ideological support for the actual candidates on it. Most of them I'd say are crooks and shills themselves, but they are not THE crooks and shills the government wants to see in the State Duma.