We're not so naïve to think that politicians actually like their rivals.

Sure, they might sometimes angle their rhetoric as something like, "we just disagree on policy issues, but my opponent is a good person", but we understand that they have to say that. Still, we like to think there's some mutual respect between politicians.

But it looks like that might not be the case -- in the 2012 POTUS election, at least.

According to a new e-book, President Barack Obama has probably the strongest contempt for Republican Nominee Mitt Romney than he's had for ANYONE he's faced-off against.

The book, "Obama's Last Stand", which is being published electronically and is written by Glenn Thrush, quotes a source close to POTUS, who says the President originally had no real feelings either way about Mitt, but "quickly developed a genuine disdain" for him. In fact, the source claims that POTUS' feelings about Mitt are stronger than his ones about House Majority Leader Eric Cantor -- the congressional Republican he dislikes the most -- because "at least Cantor stood for something." The President even abhors Mitt more than John McCain, for whom he had a "baseline respect."

Apparently, though, the feelings of animosity were a relief to those around POTUS. The source claims that "scorn stoked Obama's competitive fire" and "got his head in the game."

We guess that's a good thing. ... But geesh!

Can't we all just get along?