capitolguy

Proof of concept of an IRC bot that utilizes the Vote Smart API.

Getting started

You can always get help by running python capitolguy.py --help

usage: capitolguy.py [-h] [--nick N] [--server SERVER] [--port PORT]
                     [--name NAME]
                     C [C ...]

Handle requests for querying Vote Smart data.

positional arguments:
  C                IRC channel(s) to join.

optional arguments:
  -h, --help       show this help message and exit
  --nick N         Nickname the bot should use, if available.
  --server SERVER  IRC server to connect to.
  --port PORT      IRC server's port to connect to.
  --name NAME      Bot's "Real Name"

Configure

Copy config.ini.tpl to config.ini.

cp config.ini.tpl config.ini

Edit the configuration as you see fit.

Run

Run the IRC daemon.

python capitolguy.py --nick CapitolDude --server irc.freenode.net '#mycoolchannel' '#anotherchannel' &

Commands

You can run these commands in the IRC channel and the bot will respond(unless they were removed from config.ini).

Base Commands

!sayhi

Command that makes the bot announce itself.

<mikeshultz> !sayhi
<VoteSmartBot> Hello, I am The Capitol Guy! I'm a government and elections transparency bot for #votesmart.  Do let them know if I'm acting strangely.

!repeat

Stupid command to repeat whatever you tell it.

<mikeshultz> !repeat I'm a little teapot!
<VoteSmartBot> I'm a little teapot!

Vote Smart Specific Commands

!bill

Command that provides minimal data on a bill including a link to the page on votesmart.org for more information.

<mikeshultz> !bill HR 3361
<CapitolGuy> USA FREEDOM Act(HR 3361).  More information: https://votesmart.org/bill/18243
<CapitolGuy> (HR 3361).  More information: https://votesmart.org/bill/18243

!candidatesearch

Command to search for a candidate by last name.

<mikeshultz> !candidatesearch Rubio
<CapitolGuy> Marco Rubio: https://votesmart.org/candidate/1601

!districtbyzip

Command that will provide the districts for a particular 5-digit or 9-digit USPS Zip code.

<mikeshultz> !districtbyzip 19403-2801
<CapitolGuy> I found 3 districts for 19403-2801: U.S. House District 6; State House District 150; State Senate District 44.  More Information: https://votesmart.org/search?q=19403-2801

!officialsearch

Command to search for office holders by last name.

<mikeshultz> !officialsearch Obama
<CapitolGuy> President Barack Obama II: https://votesmart.org/candidate/9490
<CapitolGuy> Senator Erin Oban: https://votesmart.org/candidate/152042

!statefact

Command to query the Vote Smart API for a random state fact. It can accept codes(MT) or name(montana), but they do need to be spelled properly.

<mikeshultz> !statefact Maine
<VoteSmartBot> Maine's highest point is Mt. Katahdin, 5,268 ft.