When I could ride, I commuted by mtb. My other choice was an ancient motobecane, and I hate friction shifters

Ultimately, my goal was to buy a really sweet mtb for trails and put slicks on the old one to commute. I like the fatter tires here bc my commute is by bike path that's in pretty rough shape. Also gets to one random block where you ride through grass or on the shoulder of a busy highway, and I pick the grass. Also, with other people on the path, I couldn't safely ride any faster than that bike goes.

I would say for you, ride what you feel safest on.