I think Newt would be a better fit. We need a guy who already knows how to kick arse and WIN. However, Steele will be a great choice. The guy will be able to articulate our points and not take crap from the MSM.
Steele has also had to take more crap than white Republicans, and doesn't take it lying down! The national press can't throw anything at him that he hasn't already batted down!
Tacticly, it's a great move...
It puts a black REPUBLICAN in the forefront, threatening the Dems Black vote, which they cannot win without...
That threat means Jesse and Al must step up, destroying Dems cred with "Normal People"...
They can't attack and dismiss him in the usual Democrat way..
It prepares the black community for Vice-President Rice...
Newt is running for President, he wouldn't want this. Steele has charisma and ran a brilliant campaign. From what I heard on Fox yesterday, if the hispanics had been willing to vote for a black man he would have won.
We also need a guy who isn't a walking PR disaster, which is exactly what Newt is. Didn't you learn anything from 1996?
Steele is the opposite of that. He was also the former Party Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.
Newt is damaged good with too much personal baggage, and accordingly will never rise to any prominent position within the Republican Party again other than as a pundit for Sean Hannity.
I think the decision is HUGE, for it puts a minority face in the key position of leadership at the RNC. At that position, a black American will be making the decisions as to who would be supported, where finances should go, and it should encourage more minorities to consider the Repub's.
The Dem's,(who I think are the real racists at heart) will have nothing to counter it and it takes the race card weapon right out of their hands!
Steele, becomes a King maker! If blacks don't take note of that, then I don't know what else can be done to convince them of the conservative message!