I doubt a change in presidency (this would actually not be a change per se, same party right?) will improve Bitcoin chance. Bitcoin has already a bad reputation and no government ever will embrace it, in fact there are more chances that it could be banned or declared illegal than be accepted. It also could be regulated which means a death sentence basically.
I don't really agree with your point. Bitcoin is not to blame for the abuse some people are doing with it, and giving out some extra media attention should not be a bad thing.
Regulation could be a good as well, depending on the form. Let's say that you have to bind your ID with a bitcoin address or something similar, it could be a good thing in you think about it.
Yes I'm all for regulation, I don't think any method of payment should be anonymous at all, privacy doesn't apply here. Of course you must protect your bank balance etc, but to not know where a payment is coming or going, no refunds, etc, no business can accept that, plus is a tax nightmare. I mean, I'm all for it but no government will let you get away with these things, they tax and control as much as they can within its territory.
About the bad image, same thing, I know guns don't kill people, people do, but when you have a system that emerged in the black market (and still is driven by it) the media will portray it as it is and you can't really refute that fact...they have an agenda but they are not lying.