US attorney general had fainting spell

WASHINGTON - US Attorney General Michael Mukasey is getting better after collapsing during a speech, a spokeswoman said Friday.
Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona told reporters that Mukasey is doing better and had no signs of a stroke or heart problem.
President George Bush had called him earlier in the morning before leaving for the APEC meeting in Peru, and wished him a speedy recovery, she said.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino also confirmed that the president spoke to Mukasey over the phone and found he sounded well and was "getting excellent care.
" The 67-year-old attorney general appeared to faint while delivering a speech on national security to the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy in Washington, DC Thursday night. Mukasey appeared to be shaking and was slurring his words before falling to the floor.
He remained on the stage for about 10 minutes before medics arrived, and was still breathing and appeared to be talking at the time, said officials present at the scene. Mukasey was seen regaining consciousness on his way to George Washington University Hospital.
The retired federal judge was nominated to lead the Justice Department by President Bush in September 2007, and confirmed by Congress two months later. During about one year in office, he dealt with issues such as terrorism, crime and corporate wrongdoing stemming from the financial crisis.