Many Republicans are talking up a McCain-Romney ticket, but an in-depth Esquire magazine article on John McCain's comback illuminates a fundamental hurdle to the match up — McCain really, really despises Mitt.

Esquire's Chris Jones describes the glee on McCain's plane when word came that Mike Huckabee had upset Mitt Romney in West Virginia's caucuses.

"We heart Huck on this plane," said Mark Salter, McCain's senior advisor and speechwriter.

They heart Huck, because they hate Romney.

It had taken time for McCain's simmering dislike of the man, stemming from an eight-year-old dispute over federal funding for the Salt Lake City Olympics, to boil over into debate spats and, finally, pitched public battles. McCain had pledged in the beginning to run a positive campaign, and, mindful of his reputation for temper, he had done his best to keep quiet, demonstrating a sometimes impressive discipline. Way back in summer-warm Iowa, he had been asked whether he wanted to comment on Romney's misfire about his five sons serving the country by helping him run for president — McCain's youngest son, Jimmy, is a marine serving in Iraq — and McCain answered only by shaking his head. Now, though, there was plenty to be said.

When McCain made his comeback in New Hampshire, his contempt for Romney was obvious. He couldn't bear to watch Mitt's concession speech, but his staffed ignored his plea to turn the TV volume off, Jones writes.

"Another silver," Romney said.
McCain looked like he was going to throw up into the plant beside him.
"That's why I wanted to turn it down."