Here's my suggestion, FWIW. There's another bike from Bikes Direct you may have overlooked that I think would make a good commuter. It's $399.
Save up to 60% off new Cafe Bikes | Hybrid Bikes Cafe Latte 2014
What I like about that bike over the others is that the components(including the fork)are a bit better than the Nashbar, and unlike the two Bikes Direct models you are considering, instead of road calipers the Cafe Latte has V-brakes which should allow you to use considerably larger tires(or fenders) if you wanted to. The detail photos show a lot of tire clearance.
Motobecane Cafe Latte (2010 White)
What I don't like are Bikes Direct's sizing recommendations for that bike. They seem to be going for more of an upright position than I prefer for that type of bike. The effective top tube measurements are really short for the sizes BD recommends for a person's height.
Motobecane USA | Lifestyle Bikes | Cafe bikes, Comfort bikes, Hybrid bikes
I'd go up two sizes if I were buying that bike.