Best decision ever by the amigos to take out Philip. Either Philip or Andrea would have been great picks. But Philip was obviously running the show.
I don't think that is remotely close to true. Andrea is obviously running things - or you could perhaps argue Cochran. Phillip thought he was running the show but I don't actually think that is the case. Phillip was running things on nuBikal when Andrea was nowhere to be found, but that was only for a 2-episode period.
"Andrea is obviously running things..." hmm, I don't remember you being in the show.
Remember edit plays a big part in the things you PERCEIVE and SEE. Ultimately, when it comes to needing to vote out somebody suddenly at last TC, Andrea's name was the first one thrown out (by Philip and almost Brenda agreed immediately, look at the power he holds). Nobody wants to play with her and smart Malcolm would have figured out Andrea might become the target soon. And since she has a loose r/s with Eddie, her chances of flipping is so much more than people like Dawn and Cochran, which they have tried to get but to no avail.
We don't exactly know who's running the show, but clearly it was either Philip or Andrea... and Philip is obviously the better choice here. Obnoxious, loud, rude... they even managed to turn Erik around to vote with them.
If you don't call that a smart move, I don't know what is.