DENVER-
Embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales visited Denver Monday but did not publicly mention the furor over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys, instead advocating new laws to protect children from Internet pornography and exploitation.
Democrats have accused the Justice Department and the White House of purging the prosecutors for political reasons. The Bush administration maintains the firings were not improper because U.S. attorneys are political appointees.
The White House again said it supports Gonzales, despite new calls over the weekend for his resignation.
In Denver, Gonzales met with Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and others. Gonzales said the nation needs new laws to protect children after a federal court struck down the conviction of a man for promoting Internet child porn because of concerns over free speech.
“We need to protect (free speech), but we also need to find a way to protect our kids,” Gonzales said.
The Supreme Court has agreed to decide the constitutionality of the child pornography law at issue.
Suthers told Gonzales that Colorado has two new laws that will protect children. One makes it a felony to lure a child over the Internet, and it no longer requires that the suspect meet with the child.
The other makes it a crime to exploit a child by broadcasting pictures on the Internet.
Suthers said 90 people have been arrested under the new laws.
Gonzales also unveiled new ads aimed at educating children about the dangers of posting compromising information online.
