Schwarzenegger staying neutral during primaries

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Saturday he would not endorse any Republican candidate during the presidential nominating contests, defying speculation he might back Arizona Sen. John McCain.

"I respect all the candidates in the Republican lineup, and of course I have my preferences, I don't get involved in that," he told a news conference with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is the subject of speculation he might run for president as an independent. Bloomberg has said repeatedly he is not a candidate.

"I said I would not endorse anybody," said the Republican governor of the country's most populous state. "I think it doesn't help me and it doesn't help the state of California. I don't need to go and endorse anybody."

Schwarzenegger had been asked if was holding off endorsing McCain in case Bloomberg runs as an independent. Schwarzenegger replied, "Good try," and Bloomberg laughed heartily.

Schwarzenegger described McCain last year as a "great senator" and a "very good friend," and McCain helped raise millions for the former actor during his re-election campaign in 2006.

On Saturday, Schwarzenegger termed billionaire businessman Bloomberg a "soul mate." Along with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, they held a news conference underneath a Los Angeles freeway to draw attention to America's crumbling infrastructure.

California holds its presidential primary on February 5, or "Super Tuesday," when nearly half the states hold contests to choose Democratic and Republican candidates for the November presidential election.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Peter Cooney