Democratic candidate for governor Tim Kaine on Thursday called on all public officials - state, federal and local - to put pressure on the oil companies to freeze their prices, at least until the current hurricane-induced crisis fades.

Kaine held a news conference in front of the gasoline pumps at the Lancermart on west Virginia Avenue in Vinton as curious customers filled their tanks. The price of low-grade unleaded was $2.99 a gallon at the Lancermart - up 40 cents over the past two days. Kaine said the oil companies make huge profits - $26 billion in net income last year, he said - and they certainly have enough cash to give them a cushion so they can hold prices for a while.

"The oil companies need to show a sense of sacrifice," he said.

Tim Murtaugh, spokesman for Republican nominee for governor Jerry Kilgore, accused Kaine of grandstanding and said Kilgore will help consumers by keeping a lid on state gasoline taxes.

-Todd Jackson

and Michael Sluss