Seems like the way to win the election is to be straightforward with the electorate. Spell out our problems, don't equivocate and offer solutions. Show us to be a contrast to the current resident in the WH. Remember how much people responded to Donald Trump? The reason was rightly or wrongly they saw a straight shooter. IMO Herman Cain is starting to resonate the same way. OTOH, with Mitt there seems to be something he's hiding, almost like when you listen to him you're waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Finally, leave the group politics to Hussein. You won't out do him on this so instead offer a vision for the country as a whole. It worked for Reagan didn't it?