“Norm is leaning towards running, based on his ability to raise money and act as a national surrogate,” a close source said.

Friends say Coleman’s big push would be his ability to help the RNC retire its daunting debt: “I was the best fundraiser of all the Senate candidates.”

However, committee insiders say Coleman was hurt by the leaked news that he had promised Steele he wouldn’t run against him, since many in the GOP are agitating for change, not clubbiness.