Even Keith Olbermann thinks he's got the answers
This is why Keith Olbermann is awesome. He offers up his rather studied opinions on "Deathly Hallows" and the series in general. This is no pop-culture reference fan, no sirree. Olbermann knows what he's talking about: He's actually read the books. Olbermann's on the fence about whether or not Harry will live or die by the end of it all, but remains in the somewhat practical camp about the ultimate outcome.
Consider it from the marketing standpoint. Book number seven, “Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows,” reaches sweaty palms on July 21st. But the movie reaching theaters July 13th, “The Order of the Phoenix” is only the fifth film. What is the box office going be like for that one if eight days later Potter is killed off?