Lynne Abraham back on campaign trail after fainting during debate

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Late Wednesday, Lynne Abraham was out in the cold and damp evening air, greeting rush hour commuters.

She was aimed at showing Philadelphia voters that she is healthy, hearty and well despite what happened during Tuesday night's debate.

During the televised Chamber of Commerce Debate, Abraham fainted.

"I didn't drink enough water and that was it. My blood pressure dropped and that was it. I'm fine," said Abraham on Wednesday morning.

The 74-year old former district attorney says she was examined by a doctor, she took part in a candidate forum on Wednesday morning and will not reduce her campaign schedule one bit.

She also said she does not expect her rivals to try to exploit the incident.

"I think character counts for a lot in a mayor and I don't believe that any of those candidates would stoop to that," said Abraham.

Her strongest rivals for the democratic nomination will not dare raise the age/health issue directly.

"It was really an inopportune time for that to happen. If it had happened at an award meeting or community meeting it wouldn't have gotten the coverage that it did. I think she's as tough as she's ever been," said Jim Kenney.

"How she's able to conduct herself. The balance of the campaign, it won't be about Lynne Abraham's physical health," said State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams.

State Senator Williams declined to comment on his campaign's clash with the Philadelphia Board of Ethics.

The board found the veteran state lawmaker accepted excess campaign contributions and illegally transferred nearly $63,000 from his senate campaign account to his mayoral campaign.

Williams referred all questions to an outside spokesman.

The campaign has reached a settlement and has reimbursed the money.

Speaking for the Williams campaign, veteran public relations rep Kevin Feeley issued the following statement:

"The campaign at all times has attempted to follow the law and be open and transparent. We have a disagreement with the Board of Ethics over what amounts to differences in accounting rules."