GOP Chief Atwater Faints, Is Hospitalized for Testing

WASHINGTON —  Republican National Chairman Lee Atwater was hospitalized Monday after he collapsed while addressing a breakfast meeting of Republican contributors.

White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater said Atwater was being held for examination and testing at George Washington University Medical Center while doctors attempt to diagnose his condition.

The 39-year-old party leader had just begun a talk on 1990 GOP campaign prospects to about 100 financial backers of Texas Sen. Phil Gramm at a downtown Washington hotel when he fainted, according to Larry Neal, Gramm’s press secretary.

Atwater regained consciousness in less than five minutes, according to Neal, and was attended by two physicians in the audience. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Soon after his arrival at the hospital, Atwater was in touch by telephone with members of his staff at party headquarters. “He was up and barking orders at us just like always,” said the party’s chief counsel, Ben Ginzberg.

Atwater had begun the day by conducting a regular meeting of national committee staff members. Associates said Atwater, a slim, high-strung man who jogs regularly, had appeared to be in good health. “I can’t remember the last time he missed a day,” Ginzberg said.

Atwater, along with other national committee staffers, participated earlier this year in a weight-loss contest that involved drinking a liquid diet preparation. But the party chairman, who is fond of barbecue and other spicy foods and used to carry a small bottle of Tabasco sauce with him when he dined out, had given up on the diet in recent weeks, Ginzberg said.

Asked about the possible effect of the diet at the White House press briefing, Fitzwater said: “How can he be on a diet? He only weighs 25 pounds.”