Comment 2 for bug 315205

I think I can confirm this on 8.10. In my case the issue is that NetworkManager cannot assign the essid. When I select a network to join and check w/ command line iwconfig, I see the essid is not getting assigned. I assign the essid manually when networkmanager is trying to connect (issuing dhcp requests) and it will join the network. Try selecting a wireless network in Network Manager and running:
sudo iwconfig wlan0 essid <wireless network name>

See if you can join then.

Thanks,
Marty