That's according to several participants listening to a conference call Monday night between Steele and the 168-member committee. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the call was private.
The RNC will vote in January on whether to grant Steele a second two-year term or choose a successor from a multicandidate field.
Steele has watched his once strong support within the RNC rank and file all but evaporate during a first term that has been marked by allegations of financial mismanagement and verbal missteps.
