I wouldn't worry about the brand...find a bike or two that will fit you and has the components you want...then look for an '09 closeout. In the price range you are looking at, there will not be significant differences in the frame quality of major brands.

Be forewarned, many of the highly demanded sizes (e.g. 55/56/57cm) are already gone. I was in a big Trek shop on Sunday and all of the closeouts were either 54cm and below or 58cm and above.

One final note, you should look at Colorado Cyclist...the sell a pretty well equipped CF bike in the $2k range.