Mukasey leaves hospital; returns to work

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey left the hospital Friday, where he had been admitted after collapsing during a speech.

Mukasey, given a clean bill of health by doctors, waved to well-wishers as he left George Washington Medical Center, video aired on CNN showed.

"All tests at the hospital have come back with good results, and I feel fine," Mukasey said in a statement. "Accordingly, I plan to report to the (Justice Department) this afternoon and to continue doing the work I swore to do last November and which it has been an honor to do with you ever since."

Mukasey underwent several tests, including a stress test in which doctors said "he basically beat the machine," Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said.

Mukasey apparently suffered a fainting spell, not a stroke or other heart-related episode, she said.

The attorney general had an "uneventful night" after being admitted to the hospital following his collapse during a speech Thursday at the Federalist Society's 2008 National Lawyers Convention dinner at a Washington hotel, the Justice Department said. Videotape showed Mukasey slurring his words before slumping over the podium.

U.S. President George Bush called Mukasey before leaving to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru.

Power was never transferred because of the medical incident, she said.

"Basically," Talamona said, "the same guy who's in charge today was in charge yesterday and the day before."