Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain had some sharp words about President Barack Obama’s policy toward Afghanistan earlier today at a conference in Washington. Presidents should not make decisions based on political calculations, McCain said, and that has been the problem with Obama’s approach to Afghanistan. Citing Bob Woodward’s recent book, Obama’s Wars, McCain noted a revealing line: “He didn’t want to lose the left-base of his party.”

McCain’s advice for Obama: The president, when he addresses NATO next week in Lisbon, Portugal, should make clear that his intention is to “win” the war. The word “win” – indeed, the word “victory” – have not come to the president’s mouth often when addressing the war in Afghanistan. Neither word was used by Obama in his address at West Point in December 2009 in which he announced the addition of 30,000 troops to support the American effort in Afghanistan.