Beginner road bike...?

[squirrelhunter1]

Title says it all; anything under $300 would float my boat well. I've been told that Schwinn makes good beginner bikes, T/F?
How do either of these look:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5585799

http://astore.amazon.com/schwinn-bikes-20/detail/B000KZ1GHQ