If you could save up a little more, I'd go with the canon t2i kit. Any beginner kit from either canon or nikon should be good enough.
Expensive bodies/lens are useless if you don't know how to use them to the best of their abilities.
I've had an old sony a350 for a long time and that was the camera I basically learned on before swapping out to a canon 7d.
Also, don't be afraid of buying used equipment - as long as you can test it in person, this is a real good way to get some decent stuff for less.
My vote is for the canon t2i kit:
Amazon.com: Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens: Camera & Photo
or if you really want to stay within your budget, the nikon d3100 kit.
Amazon.com: Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens: Electronics