@hd-J - Hmm valid point regarding branding but I could see them offering a choice to end users on which domain they would like to have as part of their URL. I bet the majority would pick WP.com.

@Edward Caissie - What do you mean by hosted blog service for the shortened URL? You mean create a new WordPress.com built on top of WP.com?

@Patrick D. - I didn't think of that. Man, I hope not, that would make it a REAL PAIN to have a WordPress related domain if you could not have