Why did Bush tell Draper that he is "playing for October-November" to get support to keep the troops in Iraq?

Question

Bush told the author, Robert Draper, in a later session, "I'm playing for October-November."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2003865029_bush02.html

Answer 1

That's what I understood as well. I thinks it translate to W not having the helicopters landing on the roofs in mass evacuating like happened at the end of Nam. W wants the fall not to happen until he is well out of office, so that he will not be the one is blamed for his failures.

Answer 2

Perhaps because cut and run Democrats only voted for funding through September.