World War III?

President Bush caught the WH Press Corps, as well as many Americans, off guard yesterday at a news conference when responding to a question about Iran and nukes by FOX’s WH Chief Correspondent Bret Baier.

“We’ve got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel. So I’ve told people that, if you’re interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them (Iran) from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.”

Today at the Pentagon Blogger’s Roundtable, I had the opportunity to ask the new Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead for some clarity on Pres. Bush’s WWIII comments and find out how the Navy is planning to contend with the threat of a nuclear Iran.

Here’s what Adm. Roughead had to say:

“I would say that the diplomatic efforts that are on going with regards to Iran is a path we must be on. As far as our Navy is concerned, our Navy is globally deployed, it is a well-trained, well-prepared, well-equipped and my responsibilities is to be able to ensure the Navy remains that way and can be used in ways that the commander-in-chief dictates.”

Later in the day, Def. Sec. Robert Gates was asked about the WWIII comments as well and he spoke to the concern of a “nuclear arms race in the Middle east” should Iran be able to acquire them.

So the question begs:

IF Iran is able to go nuclear, will this administration – or even GOP Presidential candidates for that matter – be able to overcome cries for diplomacy from the Democrats?