If you were around during the original promos of EU, Jake made it pretty clear that Classic was the 'default' difficulty that the game was balanced around. Normal already had some modifiers in it to make it easier, including iirc, that you get the foundry and OTS right at the start. In addition to health buffs and aiming buffs for your guys.
Posts
The more you miss, the more likely you are to hit. And the more aliens hit, the more likely they are to miss.
The foundry you still have to research.
Oh, right.
Beaglerush, of Impossible Ironman fame, sexy beast and (from my perspective) father of the modern Tactical Conga Line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9zJE9GodMQ&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLXctaw5JGF4LcidFVdkQMV1tc2DfC8x3D
--Mark Twain