Robert Byrd replacement not immediate concern for W. Va. Gov

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin doesn't expect to start searching for a successor to U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd until after the longest-serving senator in history is laid to rest next week.

Manchin says he's instead focused on comforting Byrd's family and staff, and preparing the West Virginia memorial scheduled for Friday for the iconic figure who died Monday at 92 after years of frail health.

What a total crock. This Democrat POS knows that if he delays declaring the Byrd seat "vacant" untill after July 3rd, his Senate appointee can serve untill 2012 without special election. Frankly Byrd's seat has been vacant for some time, nonetheless when the man actually assumes room temp the seat should automatically be considered "vacant".