Comment 4 for bug 84849

You are correct the fix I implemented was a work around but at the same time I had no need for reverse DSN lookup.

At any rate
I made the requested changes to /etc/nsswitch.conf
hosts: files dns

I also commented out the following lines in /etc/ssh/sshd_config
LoginGraceTime 20
useDNS no

This corrected my problem, it would seem based on your description however that my problem was really a symptom of the problem.
There is now a slight pause (approx 3-4 sec) after the password is entered before ssh displays /etc/motd, is this due to the system checking what is specified in the hosts: files dns line in /etc/nsswitch.conf

Thanks again for the help.

(looking back on it I specified the LoginGraceTime value based on a Debian system hardening website/walk through ....thoughts?)