November 20, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Michael Mukasey was conscious and alert early Friday -- and took a get-well call from President Bush -- just hours after he collapsed during a speech to a black-tie dinner.

White House press secretary Dana Perino sent out word to reporters that Bush telephoned his attorney general just before 7 a.m. EST Friday and said that Mukasey "sounded well and is getting excellent care." The 67-year-old retired federal judge, whom Bush brought in last year to replace Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, was rushed to George Washington University Hospital late Thursday after he paused during his speech, started to slur his words and then collapsed.

Three or four men in suits rushed on stage and caught him at the lectern. It was not clear when the nation's chief law enforcer would be released from George Washington University Hospital, where he was admitted overnight for observation after briefly losing consciousness at the dinner. Justice Department spokesman Gina Talamona would not comment when asked if Mukasey suffered a stroke. She had no information about his medical history.

Mukasey opened his speech on terrorism with a wry remark about expecting the mood at the conservative Federalist Society dinner to be "somber or sober." He slumped over the podium about 15 minutes later after slurring his words and could be seen swaying and shaking slightly. Three or four men in suits rushed on stage and caught him at the lectern. "Oh, no, no!" people in the audience cried out as Mukasey fell. "Oh, my God!"