WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR:   I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. Coming up at the top of the hour, the Pentagon reprimands six U.S. soldiers and admonishes another as the Iraq prison abuse probe expands. Former hostage Thomas Hamill gets treatment at a U.S. military hospital in Germany as new details emerge about his escape from Iraqi kidnappers. He was injured in Iraq. Now journalist Michael Weisskopf joins us to talk about it. Those stories, much more just minutes away on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS." Now back to CROSSFIRE. 
CARVILLE:   It's time for "Rapid Fire," where we ask questions even faster than the White House can make excuses for the number of jobs lost on President Bush's watch.    Our guests, Republican strategist Barbara Comstock and senior Kerry campaign adviser Tad Devine. 
CARLSON:   Now, Tad, very, very sad and very bad sign in "The New York Times" piece the other day. John Edwards has been telling aides in his campaign he may be asked to be V.P. He's not sure he wants it because the Kerry campaign, in his view, is in such disarray.    That's kind of sad, isn't it? 
DEVINE:   No, it isn't. And, listen, I think the senator has been tremendously supportive of John Kerry ever since he decided to 
CARLSON:   Except when he talks to reporters. 
DEVINE:   No, no. I didn't see him quoted in there. Somebody said somebody said somebody said, OK? 
CARLSON:   Right. 
DEVINE:   If you want to consider that a source, that's fine. I don't. 
CARLSON:   Right. 
CARVILLE:   But, of course, Washington, the center of stupidity in the United States, says the Bush campaign is brilliant. The Kerry campaign is stupid. Now, if that's the case, then why is Bush in every poll I see 47 or under and doesn't have the lead outside the margin of error?    If all of the journalists and the people at the White House Correspondents Dinner are all right, then how come Bush is not doing better? 
COMSTOCK:   Well, James, we know it's going to be a close race. But I think what you're seeing is, on the Democratic side, buyers' remorse. Even this weekend, a lot of Hollywood folks were in here. They were saying even Hollywood is not warming up to John Kerry. He has some fundamental flaws, both his personality, his record. And people are getting to know that. 
CARVILLE:   Why is the country not warming up to George W. Bush? Why can't he get above 47?    I don't know about Hollywood. I'm talking about the nation. 
COMSTOCK:   President Bush has had a consistent record here. And he is leading in the polls. And I think he will continue to, although it will be a long race and I think it will be tight once again. And Tad and I hopefully won't be in Florida this time. 
CARLSON:   Ted, "The Washington Post" this morning recounts an amazing vignette over the weekend at the White House Correspondent Dinner, Ben Affleck standing outside a party having a cigarette. A very close female relative of John Kerry comes up, takes his cigarette, throws it on the ground, and stamps it out. That's liberalism in one sentence.    "Throw out that cigarette." Isn't it? It's not good for you. You're not allowed to do that. That kind of sums up your entire party, doesn't it? 
DEVINE:   No. 
CARLSON:   No fun for you. 
DEVINE:   Yes. Tucker, here's my response to that. That's ridiculous. OK? 
CARLSON:   Wouldn't you be mad if someone -- should you tear cigarettes out of people's hands? 
DEVINE:   That must have been in the style section. I'm sorry I missed it, OK? 
CARLSON:   OK. Well, even if you won't admit it, we still love having you on. Tad Devine, Barbara Comstock, thank you both very much. We appreciate it. 
COMSTOCK:   Thank you. 
CARLSON:   Well, Chevy Chase turned it into an art form. Political pratfalls have a long and semi-noble history. Next, we'll have the story of the latest candidate to take the fall. We'll be right back.
