I have had good luck with Specialized Crossroad tires for the rear and specialized Hemisphere for the front. 1000 miles of street riding they still look new and no flats.
I run the super flash and 1/2 watt blaze day and night. I ride all street to work and the Super flash is bright enough to catch most people's attention in late afternoon sun.

I'm trying to get a less is more attitude because I found my self riding a pack mule with the trunk bag. my seat bag has the following:
Small cheap multi tool
Cheap plastic Tire levers
patch kit.
Seat cover (I have a brooks on one and leather Terry's on two).
Sometimes I carry a inner tube if it is going to be a long ride.

I really like my Alien II multi tool but it is big, heavy and bulky. Touring it is on the bike. For commuting I have never needed it so I got the cheap multi tool that is 1/8 the size and weight.
Cell phone. I can always call the Wife or work buddy sag wagon if it is more then a mile walk in.

I keep a frame pump on all my bikes. CO2 is nice but you have one shot And on a large mountain tire it may not get it full. If you didn't get the leak fixed you are SOL. I like the Topeak Morphs the best. Built in gage, hose so you don't stress the tire valve and it has a flip out foot holder.

Head light...Very few small lights that will do the job. Unless you are going slow you can out run them if you don't have a path that is lit with street lights. I run a Cygo lite Night Rover in the winters when I will be commuting in the dark. Worth all 2+lbs for the 16 watts of light. Expect to spend at least $100 a light. I'm to the point that my main commuter may get a Dyno hub. $160 you can get a built dyno wheel from http://www.velo-orange.com/shdyhubwh.html

I have a rack and trunk bag to carry my lunch, clothes, phone, wallet, keys, access badge, lock, sunglasses, and a mini-toolset w/ spare tube. If I wasn't bringing my lunch and spare clothes, I'd probably use just a small saddle bag.

That's a good point, but someone who does know how to change a tire may stop and do it for them. Especially if the one with the flat tire is female.

If the bike is locked outside you need to make different choices than if its kept safe inside. Also if you have a job where your daily presence is not considered a necessity for someone's life, that can change your approach too.

I go 12 miles each way. I carry a road morph pump, spare tube, patch kit, levers, mini multi tool and a cell phone with taxi cab number stored in it. I also have a road ID that has my bosses number as an emergency contact.

My bike has full fenders, disc brakes and the best lighting system you can get.

Front and rear light.
Spare tube.
Multitool.
Tire lifters.
Pump.
Personal identification.
Wallet.
Cellphone.

Basically, everything you need should fit into a saddle bag.

Not so nice when it's 30*F and freezing rain.
This here is my jacket. I use it as a top cover all winter, or for rain when it's really coming down in sheets or if it's cold:
http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Water...n-Jackets.html
Excellent investment. I'm a super cheap bastard but I'd buy this again in a second. Get the helmet cover too, it's nice to have the rain dripping off the edge of your helmet rather than running down your forehead.

women riding at night are especially vulnerable to harassment and violence. be careful

I use a set of small/medium jannd economy paniers

- one side has road morph pump with guage, spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, small bottle of chain lube, rain grear (old cape/leggins), battery for L&M ARC front light, cateye (10 lcd) back light, denoite back light, local city bicycle map, small cable lock, sunglasses & suntan lotion, leg warmers, arm warmers.

- other side has change of clothes, small thermos for morning coffee & lunch

Purchased L&M Arc front light on eBay for $300, denoite back light was xmas present, bike has fenders & rack. Always carry rain gear since it is always raining here in Seattle. At work is good ulock - although area is fairly safe. Paniers come off at work and are stored at desk.

I would also be on the phone trying to get any unusable bike lanes cleaned of debris. If there is a bad patch on the road & local street crews are slow to clean up - I will on occassion - throw a small broom & dustpan into my grocery panier and clean it up myself.

Good luck with your commute.

I've done a messenger bag and the Banjo Bros commuter backpack, sold them both (the Banjo Bros backpack was much more comfortable than the messenger bag). I have never been a fan of racks and panniers. I finally settled on the Octane +8 by Camelbak which was designed for adventure racing. There is an outside pocket where I store a $10 Bell pump (works better than more expensive pumps in my experience) Park allen wrench set, Pedros Trixie, Bell tube repair kit and a spare tube. On the waist belt there is a pocket on each side for cell phone, Cliff Bar and my wallet. The Camelbak is perfect for me as it holds 70 ounces of water, my work clothes inc dress shoes, has a low prfile and isn't too hot on my back. Planet bike lights work great.

Thanks for the tips everyone. Looks like I have a good idea on what to start purchasing. I drove the route yesterday and the whole ride is well lit so all I need for lighting is to be seen. I am pretty much sold on a rear light. I just need to come up with a nice, cost effective front light that makes us visible.