Maybe I'm missing Wade's question, but I can see no advantage to a rec license. It is more limited than the light sport license, yet requires more flight hours to acquire it. A rec license requires a medical. A LSP does not.
For a person starting out from scratch, I think it would make more sense to get the light sport license (provided a light sport aircraft was available.) It would be really easy to get a LSP in one summer. Then gain some hours and experience and later finish up the PPL (provided the pilot is confident of passing the medical.) The pilot might find the LSP fulfills all of his or her flying needs anyway.
The light sport training does not even have to be made in a light sport aircraft. Only the solo and check ride has to be made in a light sport aircraft.
