Oh man, I do love me some Tempest Fighter.
But, I'm playing in a two-shot w/ some people this Saturday and next. I really wanted to play a 2WF Fighter (Surprise, right?) and had all the stats built out from a sword and board guy. I noticed that at level 1 at least, the sword and board guy w/ a longsword would have a better AC, crit damage, and gain a greater benefit from 2[W] or 3[W] powers (2D6 vs. 2D8. D8'll have a slightly better average). So, I'm inclined to agree w/ most people who spoke up in the thread, it is a middle ground between S&B and 2H... from what we've seen so far.
EDIT: Allow me to clarify, I think Dual Strike would be able to put out decent consistent damage above the longsword (from two shortswords) round to round, but on encounter/daily powers and crits the longsword is better.
(Got vetoed by the DM. I'm going to be playing the S&B fighter who is probably better for this game, but is not nearly as stylish IMO)