Haro Shift R5 vs. Cannondale Rush 600

Hi all, I used to be a road racer 15 years ago in my college days. I am looking to get on a mountain bike for some riding mostly in my local area, which is a lot of wooded single track and potential for freeriding. I do not anticipate more than an 1 - 2 hours in the saddle at any one time. I am thinking of dual suspension mostly because the trails around here have plenty of 3D obstacles.

I have spent the past few days totally overwhelmed by the amount of product to choose from, and in many ways it seems the first bike is the most difficult because I don't *really* know what kind of riding I'll eventually do.

I have a bunch of local shops to pick from, but two that are conventient. So yesterday I stopped in at each shop and got an idea what each shop recommended. One shop (Dillon) recommended a Haro Shift R5 for my budget (I said $1000 - $1500), pricing it around $1100. The other shop recommended a Rush 600 on "sale" for another $385 more.

Like I said, I am a complete beginner but I used to work in a bike shop and I know the risk of buying a cheap bike initially and don't want to upgrade anytime soon. However $1500 is about the maximum I can afford including shoes and a helmet. Do you think either of these bikes is something that will serve me well, from just pedaling hard around the easy trails getting my fitness back to the occasional jump/downhill/dropoff on intermediate rides?

If not, any recommendations in that price range? (p.s. Links to MFR sites are helpful) We are getting close to mid-season so it seems the shops are willing to talk price, they both said they expect their '07 models in the next few weeks.

Thanks!

p.s. I *love* the lefty fork and the Made In USA on the Cannondale. Honestly, though, it seems like the same level of components on both bikes.