Petraeus collapse raises questions about 2012 run

General David Petraeus's fainting fit during a congressional hearing yesterday came as a shock to the senators grilling him about the war effort in Afghanistan. But it also gave pause for thought to those who have been urging Petraeus, commander of US forces in the Middle East, to run for the Presidency in 2012.

Petraeus himself has denied he plans to run, either as a Republican or an Independent. But a small band of supporters have been egging him on in recent months - men like the New York Republican congressman Pete King, who said: "He's a serious guy... He's about the only one out there who could really challenge Obama."

Others have compared Petraeus to 'Ike' - Gen Dwight D Eisenhower, who served two terms as President form 1953 to 1961 having served as supreme commander of allied forces in Europe during the closing stages of World War Two.

Question marks over health have ruled out candidates for the White House before and yesterday's collapse served as reminder that the fit-looking 57-year-old general is actually a prostate cancer survivor.

Quite why he suddenly collapsed during questioning by Senator John McCain is still unclear. He was answering questions about recent setbacks in the Afghan campaign when he suddenly looked pale and started taking sips of water. Then he slumped face-forward unto the desk. McCain stopped mid-sentence, his face frozen, as aides rushed to the general's aide and gently escorted him out of the hearing.

While Petraeus was being treated by a military doctor, President Obama was informed and reportedly phoned the general from Air Force One.

Petraeus was back 20 minutes later, blaming the episode on dehydration and skipping breakfast. It had nothing to do with McCain's tough questioning, he joked. ·