This is Metagrid specific but I assume Stream Deck functions similar.
No you can execute LE presets directly from the MIDI menu without opening the Logical Editor and you can also put them in Macros which Metagrid can launch.
Generic Remote is how these things interact with Cubase in the first place and doesn’t really address the focus issues. There is an app some folks use (sorry don’t recall the name) that runs at the Windows level that can automate focus changes (-steve- is a big fan of this tool).