The public criticisms of Mr. Clinton among the military's ranks were first reported today in the The Los Angeles Times.

The implied criticism of Mr. Clinton was not accidental.

Over the last two weeks, criticism of Mr. Clinton and his handling of the Somalia crisis has mounted.

The harsh criticism of Mr. Clinton has prompted a local debate about the columnists' motivations.

The chairman said Governor Brown's attacks had become increasingly personal in recent days and that he should confine his criticisms of Mr. Clinton to substantive issues.

He has sometimes been persona not so grata at the White House for his stiff criticism of Mr. Clinton during the 1992 campaign.

But to some people, the criticism of Mr. Clinton has left him stronger, a victim of overzealous news reports who had held his own.

The pardons spurred intense criticism of Mr. Clinton, from Republicans and Democrats alike, for, if nothing else, incredibly bad judgment.

The criticism of Mr. Clinton is partly unfair.

Mr. Bush, who has generally avoided criticism of Mr. Clinton on the military matter, today took a sharp, though indirect, swipe.