"We're now able to transition out of Afghanistan in a responsible way, making sure that Afghans take responsibility for their own security," said President Obama.

"We don't want another Iraq. We don't want another Afghanistan. That's not the right course for us," said Romney.

Political analyst Robert Guttman says the candidates are playing off of public sentiment.

"They both want to get out of Afghanistan. I think that Romney could have said let us get out now," said Guttman.

Many analysts say the Afghan government is not ready to take over security now or even in 2014 when foreign combat troops are scheduled to leave. But Innocent says this does not matter; the American public has again turned away from Afghanistan. She says Americans did this for the first time during the Iraq war.

"What was once 'The Good War' became 'The Forgotten War,' then became 'The Good War' and now once again is 'The Forgotten War,'" she said.

In the meantime, U.S. troops continue to cycle in and out of Afghanistan, while Washington and Kabul hammer out details for continued U.S. aid through at least 2024.