CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Joe Manchin on Wednesday denied speculation he is making plans to replace Sen. Robert C. Byrd if the ailing senator can't return to work.

"I'm not looking at anything right now," the governor told the Gazette after a grant awards ceremony at the state Capitol.

Byrd, 91, has been hospitalized at an undisclosed location since May 15. In a news release this week, the Democrat's office said he "continues to improve" but remains in the hospital for physical therapy and staph-infection treatment. He is not expected to return to the office this week, but the release said he has resumed some official duties - such as signing bills as Senate president pro tempore.

"I think he's doing better," Manchin said. "His recovery rate might not be as good as someone [younger]."

Last week, Manchin told The Associated Press he thinks speculation on the longest serving U.S. senator's health is "callous" and "awful."

"Everyone's speculating the worst, and I'm anticipating the best," Manchin said Wednesday.

"He's such a wonderful human being," he added. "I just wish him a speedy recovery."

Manchin said he has not recently spoken to Byrd because he doesn't want to disturb the senator's recovery.

"I'm not going to be pushing myself on to where a person's recuperating," he said.

On June 14, the Gazette reported that Manchin had recently spoken on the phone with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. to discuss plans to replace Byrd if he can't return to work. 

The Gazette also reported that former Gov. Gaston Caperton and his wife, Idit, stayed at the Governor's Mansion June 1-3 - sparking speculation that Manchin is considering Caperton as a replacement. 

A few days later, the Washington, D.C., publication Politico reported that Reid confirmed he had spoken with Manchin, but said they didn't discuss replacing Byrd.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com">alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Joe Manchin on Wednesday denied speculation he is making plans to replace Sen. Robert C. Byrd if the ailing senator can't return to work.

"I'm not looking at anything right now," the governor told the Gazette after a grant awards ceremony at the state Capitol.

Byrd, 91, has been hospitalized at an undisclosed location since May 15. In a news release this week, the Democrat's office said he "continues to improve" but remains in the hospital for physical therapy and staph-infection treatment. He is not expected to return to the office this week, but the release said he has resumed some official duties - such as signing bills as Senate president pro tempore.

"I think he's doing better," Manchin said. "His recovery rate might not be as good as someone [younger]."

Last week, Manchin told The Associated Press he thinks speculation on the longest serving U.S. senator's health is "callous" and "awful."

"Everyone's speculating the worst, and I'm anticipating the best," Manchin said Wednesday.

"He's such a wonderful human being," he added. "I just wish him a speedy recovery."

Manchin said he has not recently spoken to Byrd because he doesn't want to disturb the senator's recovery.

"I'm not going to be pushing myself on to where a person's recuperating," he said.

On June 14, the Gazette reported that Manchin had recently spoken on the phone with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. to discuss plans to replace Byrd if he can't return to work. 

The Gazette also reported that former Gov. Gaston Caperton and his wife, Idit, stayed at the Governor's Mansion June 1-3 - sparking speculation that Manchin is considering Caperton as a replacement. 

A few days later, the Washington, D.C., publication Politico reported that Reid confirmed he had spoken with Manchin, but said they didn't discuss replacing Byrd.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com">alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.