"If I'm president, the Justice Department will be doing more to see if (Internet Web) sites are doing things that shouldn't be done. ... It's not undermining civil liberties. It's enforcing existing law," he said.

Forbes was responding to a question about pedophiles using the Web, but he also said he would crack down on Web sites that incite violence.

Forbes also spoke out against the use of the Internet to stalk or threaten people.

He said it was "equivalent to phone calling, it's the equivalent of threatening letters in the mail and they should be subject to the same laws. ... Those things should be tagged and you take preventive action."

But Forbes was cautious about a new Clinton administration plan to crack down on illegal sales of prescription drugs over the Internet.

President Clinton would require Internet pharmacy sites to get federal approval or face stiff fines.

"Preventing abuse of medicines going to people who shouldn't have them everyone would applaud. What I think, though, the FDA fears is not just potential harm to the consumer, but the idea that they're not in charge of it. It's the old government power grab," he said.

"With Clinton, you always have to look at the details. That's where the devils are," Forbes said.

A Department of Justice spokeswoman didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

In an appearance at a company that helps businesses plan Web strategies and create Web sites, Forbes reiterated his position that there should be no new taxes on the Internet.

Forbes said the Internet was a "fabulous creator of wealth" and it would be a mistake to let politicians "get their mitts" on it.

He segued easily from there to a pitch for his 17 percent flat tax plan and a criticism of the federal tax code, which he said had more than 7.5 million words.

"And nobody knows what's in the thing. They talk about black holes in the universe. They got it right there in the tax code," he said.

Asked what he thought of junk e-mails and marketing companies collecting information from people who use the Web, Forbes said he felt people should have a chance to "opt out" -- and not receive the e-mails or have their information collected.

Todd Harris, a spokesman for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of Forbes' primary opponents, said, "Senator McCain has led the fight in the Senate for an Internet tax moratorium. He's been the leader in Congress to keep the federal government from placing a burdensome tax on Internet commerce."

Harris didn't have a comment on Internet law enforcement efforts.

Conservative activist Gary Bauer, another Forbes opponent, is against Internet taxes, said spokesman Matt Smith.

As a "pro-family activist" in Washington for years, Bauer has also pushed in Congress for legislation designed to maintain decency on the Internet, Smith said, charging that Forbes was a latecomer to the issue.

Representatives for GOP candidates Texas Gov. George W. Bush; Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; and Alan Keyes didn't immediately return messages seeking comment.