This morning former president Bill Clinton was told he needs heart bypass surgery. This is from CNN:

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former President Bill Clinton will undergo heart bypass surgery as early as Saturday, sources tell CNN. Clinton was in New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Friday undergoing tests for chest discomfort.

A close friend of Clinton said the former president called him to say that his doctors had advised him that he needs bypass surgery. The friend told CNN that Clinton's condition is serious and the former president had told him he might have a quadruple bypass.

Clinton, 58, has been in good health with no known history of heart problems. A medical report in January of 2001 showed he had an above-normal cholesterol level and borderline high blood pressure. He checked into the hospital Thursday, the sources said, complaining of chest discomfort and fatigue. He went home Thursday and returned to the hospital Friday, the sources said.

During his presidency, Clinton a reputation for eating fast food meals. Since leaving office, Clinton has lost weight and he told talk show host Oprah Winfrey that he had gone on the South Beach diet.

This could introduce some distracting or energizing spin to the campaign season.

SRS