Long-running speculation that former Sen. Norm Coleman wants to succeed gaffe-plagued Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele got a bit of a goose Wednesday from a published report that he's the favorite to replace Steele

The Hill, an insidery congressional tipsheet reported that "if he does make a bid for the spot, he will immediately be the favorite" to replace Steele.

The online report promptly noted that Coleman is "waving off rumors" that he's angling for the post. Those rumors have repeatedly popped up since summer, when a Politico article quoted a Coleman confidante relaying the former Senator's "strong and growing interest" in the RNC job.

For what it's worth, Coleman attended a GOP fundraiser headlined by Steele last week in Minneapolis. Stay tuned.