My original point was that the left has repeatedly said that it was Ronald Wilson Reagan that convinced saddam to attack Iran. As you stated in your post the war started seven weeks before the 1980 election, and almost four months before the Reagan Administration was sworn in. I have heard of the infamous so-called October surprise, but this has to be Reagans' "September Surprise" if one is to believe this story concocted by the left.
As an addendum, my point unfortunately had little to do with your post. For that, I am sorry.
I haven't paid much attention to what the left has said about that war. I certainly think that Saddam had plenty of reasons to want the war all on his own. We may never know the full truth, but it is entirely possible that both Carter elements and Reagan/Bush elements signaled (not necessarily encouraged) that we would stay out of any action Saddam took against Iran. I think by Sept. 1980 it was pretty clear that Reagan would be elected, and this may have affected Saddam's decision. Starting then would give him more time in the milder weather to achieve a quick victory. Of course, it did not work out that way.
On the other hand when he marched into Kuwait and threatened Saudi Arabia, he was threatening and/or controlling at least half the world's oil supply. We were not about to let that happen.