ND Senate Democratic leader faints at state convention Eds: APNewsNow.

Grand Forks, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota state Senate's Democratic leader was taken to a Grand Forks hospital after he fainted at the party's state convention.

Lansford Sen. David O'Connell says he's been fighting the flu.

He says he was dehydrated and his blood pressure was low.

The 67-year-old O'Connell says he's taking intravenous fluids, and he expects to get out of the hospital late in the afternoon.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is the keynote speaker at the North Dakota Democratic convention in Grand Forks.

O'Connell says he has an appointment to speak with Obama and he doesn't want to miss it.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 04-04-08 1317CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list