JURIST - Paper Chase: US attorney general 'conversant and alert' after collapse at speech

[JURIST] US Attorney General Michael Mukasey [official profile; JURIST news archive] collapsed Thursday evening during a speech to the Federalist Society [advocacy website]. Mukasey was rushed to George Washington University Hospital [official website], where he remained Friday morning [New York Times report]. Peter Carr, spokesperson for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] released a statement [text] early Friday, saying:

The Attorney General is conscious, conversant and alert. His vital statistics are strong and he is in good spirits. He is receiving excellent care and appreciates all of the good wishes and prayers he has received. The doctors will keep him overnight for further observations.

Carr promised to give additional updates as new information becomes available. White House press secretary Dana Perino reported [Washington Post report] that President George W. Bush spoke to Mukasey by telephone around 7AM ET Friday.

Mukasey, 67, took over the position [JURIST report] of Attorney General last November, following the resignation of Alberto Gonzales [JURIST news archive]. In his speech [prepared remarks], Mukasey addressed the success of the Bush administration in fighting terrorism since the 9/11 attacks [JURIST news archive].

- 1:40PM ET: Mukasey has been released from the hospital and is expected to return to work this afternoon. DOJ says [statement] he has been given a "clean bill of health."

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