Progressive groups came together today in opposition to the recently proposed troop escalation in Iraq, reflecting profound and growing public dismay with President George W. Bush's handling of Iraq and a potentially revitalized antiwar movement.

Organized by Moveon.org, the press conference brought together progressive thinkers, Iraq War veterans, and students, along with labor and antiwar activists in opposition to President Bush's plan for increasing U.S. troops in Iraq.

Speakers urged the U.S. Congress to block funds for any troop increase, while plugging nation-wide rallies and gatherings by Moveon.org and Win Without War and a march against escalation in Washington, D.C., slated for January 27.

Accusing President Bush of "turning his back on the majority of Americans," William McNary, President of USAction and press conference moderator told the crowed hall that "this plan [the Bush-backed troop "surge"] will not make America more secure."

Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), told the excited crowd that "issues of national security are complicated and we [SEIU members] are not experts," but contended that Bush's latest policy will "join the long list of strategic misjudgments of this administration."

The speakers also addressed whether the American public and U.S. Congress will come out to stop the Bush administration's plans.

"Congress must step and put an end" to the surge, Tom Andrews of Win Without War told the audience, noting that "[w]e expect Congress to do more than non-binding resolutions."

Former Congressmen and Win Without War Director Tom Andrews stated, "last night's speech is clearly fueling an anti-war surge."

"There is a movement," Eli Pariser, Moveon.org's executive director, agreed. He noted 65,000 new members to his group in the last two days, along with over $250,000 in donations.

But the most effective speech came from Jon Stolz, a veteran of the Iraq War and Kosovo.

"I made mistakes in Iraq, I admit that," Stolz spoke as he told of his time in Iraq and decision to turn against the war there, "but I don't make the same mistake twice" noting that there's "no strategy" to victory in Iraq.

He concluded his remarks by asking, "Why should I die for her [Condoleezza Rice and the Bush administration's] mistakes."

Hitting the emotional core of the audience, filled with seasoned and first-time activists against the Iraq escalation, the captivated crowd came to its feet with applause.

Larry Korb, senior fellow of the Center for American Progress, argued for the strategic wisdom of an Iraq redeployment that takes troops out of Iraq, the very opposite of the Bush administration's position.

"[B]y redeploying you will enhance the security of the United States," Korb told the audience, arguing that "using the lever of our troops" is the only way for the Iraqi government to make the "painful, political compromise" that are necessary and have not yet occurred.

Jennifer Pae, President of the United States Student Association, while meandering into issues of college debt and its tangential relationship to the conflict in Iraq, did add a student perspective to the Iraq escalation.

Noting it's "time for a change" and for a "responsible plan to bring our troops back home safely," Pae told the audience.

The event did succeed in bringing together a motley group of organizations together against the Iraq escalation, suggesting the emergence of a unified and energized anti-escalation movement.

But only time will tell whether people come out tonight, let alone latter in January.