Alright so I've played a few more games since I originally posted.
liberalsentinel is correct that building an outreach center and upgrading it to a "level 3" center will earn you points much quicker and win endorsements relatively quickly. My initial strategy was to build multiple outreach centers in different states which obviously takes more time and generates fewer points. I am completely new to playing TPM so I am still learning.
That said I still notice that my opponent seems to win endorsements faster than or at the same pace as me even when their experience rating is low and they appear to have no or only 1-2 "level 1" outreach centers. Furthermore I've noticed that the most expensive endorsement like the Chamber of Commerce endorsement is typically won by my opponent in the first 2-3 turns. I don't see how that is possible without a very high experience rating and just a single un-upgraded outreach center. Is it possible that the computer gives the CPU opponent a handicap or "cheats" (and I use that term lightly/loosely) when the difficulty level of a game is raised? (i.e. playing "painful" level vs. "challenging" either lowers endorsement cost for the CPU or gives the some clout points to begin with?
Anyway I've amended my strategy. To me is seems like outreach centers are essentially useless after all the endorsements have been won. Is this correct? I see they also provide a "regional awareness" boost but how significant/widespread is this boost? I don't seem to notice any significant regional awareness effect despite keeping a level 3 outreach center active (without destroying it to build something else) for several games.
(E.X. When I play as a Democrat Maine/NH/Vermont and Connecticut typically get neglected (and my candidate has low awareness there) as I focus on getting a HQ int the battlegrounds right away. Of course my opponent usually pops up there and places a newspaper or builds a consulting office and suddenly Massachusetts and all of New England have turned Red on the map! To combat this I have tried building a level 3 outreach center in one of those states (typically Massachusetts as its the least at risk and is centrally located between these problem states). It seems to work in the state it is build it but I don't see an increase in regional awareness. If anybody can give me advice on if this is worthwhile or how or if it works I'd appreciate it.
I typed way more than I meant to. Sorry for the long post!
