Moreover, gay voters understand and dread all of the Republican alternatives.

Already, he says, Republicans are competing for gay voters in many states.

Mr. Bloomberg has placed himself in an interesting position with gay voters.

If he had fewer delegates, gay voters could cast protest votes that simply "made a moral statement."

He had been the first major party presidential candidate to court and to promise openly to gay voters.

Still, many gay voters may be put off by other positions, including his opposition to their being foster parents or adopting children.

The message was that gay voters, like consumers, would get a better deal with more competition for their support.

But he said the President had redeemed himself with gay voters over the course of his Presidency.