Giving Speeches in 2012

So I preordered TPM: 2012 and after reading the tutorial and hours of gameplay, Im still not sure how giving speeches work. I mean Is it random and you just try your luck on a topic that a state prefers or opposes? Example I go to CA to give a speech on supporting Reducing Deficit. Now Everyone is all for it and Ive got thumbs up for all parties in the state but my results are 0%? Same thing happens sometimes if my party and the independents only agree. Sometimes i get 1-4% but most of the time like midway in the campaign no matter what I do I dont gain anything. Another thing is It says im losing in a state when I have 100% awareness and I have 1458 Issue score and my opponent has a 840 Issue score. Is it just me or Is there something wrong here? Help or clarification would be greatly appreciated.