This is an old thread but since it keeps reviving, I'll nominate another bike -- the Gunnar Sport. Although a little more expensive than Somas and Salsas, Gunnars are made in the USA by Waterford. The Sport has a great geometry like the old Japanese sport touring bikes that Rivendell loves to emulate. It has room for fenders and tires up to 32 mm as well as braze-ons for fenders, racks, water bottles, pump peg, etc. I am leaning toward getting a Gunnar Sport for my next commuter bike as the stock geometry is perfect for me and it has all of the features I want in a commuter.

http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/sport/