Would you really group Python in with Java? I find it reasonably compact. True, there is an unfortunate tendency to drag java-style thinking into Python.
I write python with vim; so do most of my co-workers.
(But then I also write Java with vim (when I have to write Java))
I wouldn't group Python with Java, But I would group a bunch of programmers common to Python and Java.
Python attracts the same major group of programmers as Java because it has a very low barrier to entry. It has all the qualities that you would need build a army of programmers. But unfortunately that quality also has a downside, you tend to get a lot of people who need tools and stuff to help them overcome their personal shortcomings.
If you make the tool very easy for novices sure you will get a lot of novices, but they won't really like to take the extra step beyond those initial steps.
This is also the crowd that is in love with verbosity. Verbosity in every thing, code, configuration etc. Because it helps them to write more than they think. Whereas ideally you must be thinking more than your write. Unfortunately Python belongs to the former school of taught.
Good to know you develop Java applications with vim. I don't see that as a very productive thing for the rest of the world. They are better off using eclipse.
The whole Java configuration hell stereo-type is kind of getting old. Its really not true anymore (have a look at the play framework). Although I do agree Java is verbose and you defiantly need an IDE to edit it that doesn't mean other less verbose languages could not benefit from an IDE.
If you really want to play the Ivory Tower of condescension you need to attack the army of PHP programmers and there love of string manipulation of SQL statements.
I write python with vim; so do most of my co-workers.
(But then I also write Java with vim (when I have to write Java))