Sen. Norm Coleman has decided not to attend the Republican National Committee’s summer meeting in Kansas City, CNN reports.

Said the report:

Coleman spokeswoman Liz Maruggi did not cite a reason for the change in plans.

But Coleman’s decision to stay away from the meeting could be a sign that he is trying to tamp down chatter about a possible challenge to [RNC Chairman Michael] Steele, after his early jockeying irked some RNC members.

The meetings run today through Saturday.

Notes CNN:

Coleman’s potential campaign for the chairmanship was floated late last month in a Politico article that quoted a Coleman confidante relaying the former senator’s “strong and growing interest” in the RNC job.

The day after the Politico article appeared, Coleman fanned the flames by going on CNN and criticizing Steele’s handling of committee finances while also avoiding questions about his interest in becoming party chairman.

Despite Steele’s problems, he remains resolute, the report said.

Every time something happens, people say, ‘He should step down,'” Steele told a gathering of supporters in Greenfield Village, Colorado, on July 8.

“The reality is that’s not happening, so stop the noise on that. You don’t need the distraction. We’re focused on winning.”