Much has been made about the important role that the situation in Iraq will play in the upcoming presidential election. Take, for example, this excerpt from CNN’s blog from last night:

We learned from this debate what the central issue is going to be in the 2008 general election campaign. Republicans will argue that leaving Iraq too soon will increase the threat of terrorism in the United States. Democrats will argue exactly the opposite – that staying in Iraq increases the terrorist threat.
CNN.com – CNN Political Ticker Tonight’s headline? The sparks didn’t fly «

But given that even highly partisan Republican leaders are calling for a change in course in Iraq, and that the September time frame seems to be accepted wisdom, will the decision of staying or leaving really be current much longer?