Steele should not feel bad. A better man than him who did more for Conservatism than Steele could ever dream of,was not invited either. Of course, I am talking about Sarah Palin who has more testosterone than Team Mittens and all the Pubbie elite snobs put together.
Sarah Palin was invited and offered a speech during primetime and declined according to the party chair's interview with Mark Levin.
This is consistent with Palin's statements (on Greta talking about Akin) and activities on behalf of contenders down-ballot races--she'll be in Arizona.