Economy trumps Iraq in election

"Anything that drives Iraq down the agenda helps Republicans because a majority of Americans think it was a mistake to have gone into Iraq in the first place, and there's very little that Republicans can say at this point to persuade people otherwise," he said.

Gergen said the focus on the economy would help Democrats by taking away the Republicans' claim to strong economic stewardship under President George W. Bush.

Whether the economy slumps or not, Iraq is not going away. Obama generates thunderous applause when he tells audiences he aims to bring troops home within 16 months if he wins the White House.

Once the nominees are chosen, the Iraq issue is likely to return to the forefront, analysts said.

"The conversation will change once we have nominees and the issues then sharpen up," Gergen said. "It's (Iraq) going to be a very sharp issue of division between the two parties."

(Additional reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Jackie Frank)