Could just be that the entire MSM, plus all the bloggers that can be bought, has gone into the Opposition Research mode to the point that they wouldn’t report anything Steele (or anybody else) said that WASN’T a gaffe. Even if they had to create the da** quote.
Actually, I agree with you. Many times what we hear reported is not quite what was said.
Having said that, since I’ve heard Steele on the radio myself and not just taking comments secondhand, he needs better training to be an effective RNC chairman.