U.S. General in Baghdad Nearly Faints

Associated Press | April 17, 2004

[HAL9000]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq appeared to briefly lose consciousness during a news conference Saturday, bumping his face into a podium microphone. He left the room for a period but returned smiling and answered more questions.

There was no immediate explanation for the apparent fainting spell suffered by Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, the deputy head of operations in Iraq, who delivers daily briefings to Baghdad-based journalists alongside the top U.S. coalition spokesman Dan Senor.

Kimmitt had left the podium for a few minutes earlier in the press conference, which was broadcast live internationally. He returned, looking pale, to take more questions.

Just after answering a question, Kimmitt leaned toward Senor and whispered, "I gotta go."

Senor nodded and said, "OK," and then told reporters the next question would be the last.

As he listened to the question, Kimmitt's eyes rolled upward and he began leaning forward into the podium. The podium's small black microphone struck him on the right side of the mouth. After a few seconds leaning against the microphone, he slumped backward but remained standing.

Senor stepped toward him and said, "You all right?"

"No, I'm not," Kimmitt mumbled. Two aides approached the podium and led him out a side door.

Senor continued answering questions. About 15 minutes later, Kimmitt returned again and resumed answering questions. When one reporter prefaced a question by saying, "I hope you're feeling better," Kimmitt smiled but offered no explanation. </blockquote.

[Stentor]

Saddam's revenge?

[DonaldDuke]

This guy wouldn't happen to be a diabetic, by any chance?

[Rome2000]

Doesn't sound to me like this guy is up to the job.

Saddam at least knew how to treat the Shiites, maybe the US can get some commanders in there that know better than to "negotiate" with the enemy.

[HAL9000]

Now that you mention it, it does sound like a hypoglycemic episode.

[ride the whirlwind]

Hope he gets a thorough check-up, unless it's something as simple as a bad food experience.

[MEG33]

Piffle!Are you saying that a man who works 24/7 probably needs sleep or is ill with a virus isn't up to the job?The Pentagon reporter says he is always on top of things,and was concerned for his health.Suggested he might have to be escorted to the infirmary(forced to see the doctor.)

[Wolfhound777]

"Doesn't sound to me like this guy is up to the job."

I would not rush to any assumptions. The General probably has not slept in three days and is not eating regularly and is under enourmous pressure wanting to do right by his troops and level Fallujah and Najaf but is forced into worthless negotiations because a large segment of the poplulation back home is weak (liberals), a weak congress (both parties), a weak Pentagon (civilians and their lapdogs on the JCS) being to worried about pissing off the UN and Europe, and then having the liberal media crusify him.

[FairOpinion]

Well, it's probably already hot there, the General probably hadn't slept in three days, probably doesn't eat right, and is under a lot of stress.

I hope he takes care of himself.

[PISANO]

It was very disturbing, he looked like he might be having a seizure or something, at the very least about ready to pass out. He maintained like hell though. The General came back and took more questions after this episode looking fit as a fiddle. Within an hour he was on WABC talking with Monica Crowley as though nothing had happened. He is one tough dude and I hope he gets a clean bill of health. I for one love his NO NONSENSE straightforward answers.

[sockmonkey]

About 15 minutes later, Kimmitt returned

Not to split hairs, but I was watching this live, and it was probably more like six or seven minutes, not fifteen.

That said, it was rather unsettling watching it live, and seeing it happen. I was relieved when he came back to the podium. He seemed fine, and his color had returned to his face.

[BARLF]

This happened to me a week or so ago. I've never fainted in my life. I was standing in the yard chatting with a neighbor lady, I had to reach out to her to keep from falling. She helped me get inside and gave me a cola. A few minutes late I was ok but weak for several hours.

Maybe, it's a type of fainting virus. LOL

[Rome2000]

Saddam had the Shiites in fear for their lives.

The US command will be doing its job when the Shiites are again in fear for their lives.

Sadr wouldn't have set foot in Iraq if Saddam was in power,he would have been killed on sight.

The US should have killed him weeks ago, without regard to any "consequences" or threats from Iran, terrorists, the DNC, or the Washington Post.

Its really that simple.

[MEG33]

I was very concerned.

[MEG33]

If only you were in charge.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Sounds like you're a putz.

[dwilli]

If I have pancakes or waffles for breakfast with lots of syrup, later in the day a weakness comes over me to the point of almost having to sit down.

I am not diabetic but the doctor seems to think when the sugar content is digested and enters my blood stream the weakness follows.

Orange juice, peanut butter, or Reeces PB cups will bring me back to normal in a few minutes.

[Arpege92]

I've seen things like this happen to perfectly healthy people. My brother fainted in the middle of a prayer service one time. The doctors couldn't find a single thing wrong with him and he never fainted again. I've seen video tapes of grooms and brides fainting in the middle of their ceremony as well.

Fainting in public places such as these is not that uncommon at all.

[McGavin999]

Sounds like high blood pressure to me. This guys has been under a tremendous amount of stress.

[Jewels1091]

I saw that this morning...CNN carried the whole press Q&A, Fox went to something else...He just about fainted right there, his face actually went into the the microphone, you could tell he was feeling sick when he came out..his face was as white as a sheet of paper!