Meh, I make up for a sub-par speed rank with 150 power every time.
As for the tactics...
Well, it's hard to say as it really depends greatly on the map but I supposed as a very generalised strategy this usually works for me:
-Go for the kill, the CP will usually spend the first few turns building infantry/bikes etc so reply by buying recon/AA/tanks/whatever you can afford. Send them over to disarray the CP and stop them capturing more bases while you slowly capture yours with a couple of infantry behind the frontlines(which should be around their HQ). ASAP, bring in some 'tough' units like APCs/Anti-tanks/Megatanks and position them over any bases(or airports/ports) not in use. By doing this, you stop the enemy producing any more units to hit you with(my favourite unit for this job is an Anti-tank, as they can attack all around them(1-3 range) and are also hard to destroy. Plug all their bases and then whittle away their remaining forces.
-Or, on a lot of maps, the number of neutral cities in reach of both sides will be similar, with one in the middle to fight over. My advice is to go for the middle one straight away - with that under your control you can protect it from the CP getting any more funds. Then, capture the ones closer to home afterwards, as they are at less risk from the enemy. You should end up getting more funds than the opponent when all cities are captured by one of other of the sides. Keep it this way(Put emphasis on not letting them capture your cities) and you'll slowly be able to overwhelm the CP. This is more of a long-winded method but is appropriate on maps where the enemy's base of operations is too far away to make the previous strategy viable.
Alternately, you could of course go straight for the HQ and capture it if you can. Use any other units that aren't vunerable to others to block any of the CPs units from damaging the capturing unit so you can get a win in a couple of turns.(eg; if the CP has some AAs, don't block with transport copters of the like).
0.0 long post no? Probably doesn't make much sense as I typed it quite quickly. I'll elaborate on a strategy if you want more detail...
