Sen. Hillary Clinton faints before speech

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton collapsed Monday during a speech on Social Security, moments after complaining about a stomach virus.\n"She fainted after not feeling well, got medical attention and is proceeding with her planned schedule," according to a statement released by her office in Washington.\nColleen DiPirro, president of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, told WBEN-AM radio that Clinton told the crowd she was feeling weak and had had a stomach virus. Clinton started to speak then collapsed, DiPirro told the radio station.\nA doctor at the private club where she collapsed asked about her symptoms and checked the senator's vital signs, said a Clinton aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity.\nClinton, 57, was smiling when she walked out of the club, the general manager said.\n"I saw her walk out the door by herself, she smiled and said 'thank you'," said Saturn Club general manager Vincent Tracy.\nLater Monday, she arrived at a Catholic college where she was to speak about health care, the aide said. Several hundred people were waiting to hear that address. There were also dozens of anti-abortion protesters waiting at the college.\nDuring an earlier editorial board meeting Monday at The Buffalo News, Clinton complained about suffering from a flu-like bug that affected several of her staff members during a weekend retreat in Westchester County, where she lives.\nThe former first lady has said she plans to run for re-election in 2006.