This position is much more than policy as I see it. Policies become or come from the candidates when they are chosen. This position needs to build the base and keep it fired up, raise money, put together teams to focus on the democrats, stay in the public eye as much as possible, etc.
I see your point, however, you know that all of those issues are going to be on the agenda. If Newt is RNC chair, he will lean toward supporting the Democrats. One problem we had with the election is the illegals voting.
Problem is Steele never won an election by himself (Lt Gov is ticket with Gov), he lost the Senate.
Newt won elections by himself and led 1994..
That said, we need both of them..