If the Republicans hold on - a surprise big victory - there's some type of escalation in Iraq to get this finished. If the Democrats come in there's a lot more pressure to disengage.
So, apparently, over the last 3 and half years of all Republican control their hands were tied and they were unable to commit to "some type of escalation" which would magically "get this finished." However, if Democrats are there we won't "get this finished" but will instead "disengage" which would not be getting anything finished.
8 more days...