On the corporate side libraries and availability of good programmers were definitely important. Python is a 'nice' language in the sense that non programmers from a technical background like the syntax and programmers like it also.
"significant white space" can you elaborate? Are you referring to the compulsory indentation? To be honest after a week or so you no longer notice you are doing it. And it means code is always readable.
GAT
Yes, I meant those compulsory four space indentations. That raised red flag for me since it could introduce difficult to find syntax errors. I learned a little bit of Python by reading books since guys who know Python can write better texts than most authors. I have written few lines of Python code but in the process I found that R which is structured like Python is much easier and has comparable libraries. I still prefer C++ and use .Net but it becomes obvious that Python popularity is increasing and influences other languages as well

