What is the easiest race to play, and what race is planned to be the easiest? I know they are probably all "equally easy" but what do you recommend for beginners?

Terran is the most "understandable" since many of the units look and behave like more real-world weapons. Protoss are the easiest to play since they have generally less micro with their units (no siege tanks) and their units are pretty tough so they are more forgiving of mistakes.

The Zerg are the hardest. Their economy is difficult to manage, many of their units are powerful but unforgiving if you make a mistake with them.

At least that's the way it feels to me.=)