Clinton to undergo bypass surgery

The 58-year-old Clinton, a Democrat who served two terms from 1993 to 2001, had gone to Northern Westchester Hospital on Thursday afternoon after experiencing mild chest pain and shortness of breath, his office said.

Although initial testing was normal, he spent the night at home in nearby Chappaqua, New York. After additional testing on Friday morning at Westchester Medical Center, doctors advised Clinton should undergo bypass surgery, it said.

Clinton8217;s wife, US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and daughter Chelsea were to be with him for the operation.

Before heading back to Manhattan, Hillary said doctors advised her husband to do the surgery 8216;8216;as soon as he could8217;8217;. ABC News reported Clinton was found to have multiple lesions and other TV reports said he would undergo a quadruple bypass. CNN quoted a source close to Clinton as saying the surgery could take place as early as Saturday.

Clinton, the 42nd US President, promised at the Democratic National Convention in July to be a 8216;8216;foot soldier8217;8217; in Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry8217;s race against Republican President George W. Bush. He received a rousing welcome from delegates after being introduced by his wife, a Democrat representing New York. Kerry, campaigning in Ohio, sent Clinton 8216;8216;our best wishes, our prayers, our thoughts8217;8217; and asked supporters to give Clinton a cheer he would hear 8216;8216;all the way to New York8217;8217;.

In Wisconsin, President Bush said: 8216;8216;We send him our best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery.8217;8217; White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said Bush was informed about Clinton8217;s condition while on Air Force One.