Something

ldtp:~/gaim # cat sendmsg.py
#!/usr/bin/env python

# Try sending a Message
from ldtp import *
from ldtputils import *
log ('Send Messsage','teststart')

try:
        selectmenuitem  ('frmBuddyList','mnuBuddies;mnuNewInstantMessage')
        waitwinname ('frmNewInstantMessage')
        settextvalue ('frmNewInstantMessage','txt0','bryanpperry')
        time.sleep(1)
        click ('frmNewInstantMessage','btnOK')
        waitwinname ('frmbryanpperry')
        settextvalue('frmbryanpperry','txt1','test message')
        time.sleep(1)
        click ('frmbryanpperry','btnSend')
        time.sleep(3)
        #wait to see the response
        selectmenuitem ('frmbryanpperry','mnuConversation;mnuClose')
        time.sleep(1)
except error:
        log ('Unable to open Dialog for sending messages','error')
        log ('Send Message','testend')
        raise LdtpExecutionError(0)
log ('Send Message','testend')
ldtp:~/gaim #