Bitcoin's role in the US's 2014 midterm elections?

[Elwar]

In every election anything can pop up as an issue that nobody can predict. If the issue gets enough press both candidates will polarize and take extreme positions on it as they milk the free press coverage. Bitcoin could pop up at some point during the election season.

I can see at least one candidate being quoted as being supportive of Bitcoin followed by his opponent attacking him with the usual attacks we see all the time about Bitcoin. He supports drug users, pedophiles, money laundering, terrorists, etc.

Depending on the outcome other candidates will either show their support or stay away from the issue needing "time to look into it".

Knowing how closely the Federal Reserve gets involved in US politics (see Ron Paul's End the Fed attacks) I do not see Bitcoin doing very well "politically" this election season. It is still too young and the banks are much more powerful. Though I do not see it as having much impact on Bitcoin itself, just on how politicians approach it.

[Lethn]

 I think there are two main possibilities, either Bitcoin will be totally ignored and they'll quietly introduce laws banning or restricting it in the hopes that none of us will notice or they're going to pull the same bullshit that they did with wars, terrorism and drugs and just spread lies about it saying the usual stuff like 'Only terrorists and pedophiles use it so therefore anybody who uses Bitcoin is that and will be arrested or shot" and because their voter base is ignorant and always votes in an organised mob anybody in the U.S who supports Bitcoin will be on the receiving end.

I'd be very surprised if any of the establishment came out in favour of Bitcoin totally, very very surprised.

Edit: I realised as well I forgot to mention a third possibility that I posted elsewhere and that's the idea that they're that corrupt greed will over take them, but I think in the context of an election they'll want to appear as anti-Bitcoin as possible so they look good to the Federal Reserve and can be elected.

[beetcoin]

i'm looking forward to 2016 with the presidential elections, but then again i don't think the politics would change. just the method of accepting money.

[kizzoboy]

I'll be putting financial support (via bitcoin political contributions) to candidates in 2014 that demonstrate a consistent record of supporting economic freedom, audit the fed, opposition to bank bailouts, etc.  Candidates that support that will probably be more friendly to bitcoin than the rank-and-file "I voted with my party" type of politician.  Since only a few politicians have actually mentioned bitcoin, it's difficult to determine where to send money with exactness.

[beetcoin]

a consistent politician? it's a species near the brink of extinction.

[bryant.coleman]

In the 2014 elections, Bitcoins will only be having a limited impact. None of the GOP / DEM candidates are likely to ask for BTC donations. Only the Libertarians are going to do that. The picture will change in 2016, hopefully.

[beetcoin]

if i remember correctly, there's a democrat super PAC that is accepting bitcoins. wouldn't it be illegal to accept bitcoins (at least if the donor is undisclosed)? since that's the "reason" why super PACS exist.

[dego]

A spokesman with the Federal Elections Commission could not say whether Bitcoin donations are legal. In November, the FEC considered whether to explicitly allow federal candidates and political action committees to accept Bitcoin donations as in-kind donations. The committee deadlocked, 3-3. The commission has not taken up the issue since the November vote, a spokesman said.

From the Texas Tribune, concerning the announcment of Steve Stockman (R-TX) to accept Bitcoin donations...

[kizzoboy]

Steve Stockman from TX is accepting them for his senate campaign.  I'm accepting them at Coin PAC (www.coinpac.org) which is a independent expenditure super PAC.  There's a libertarian Senate candidate in Michigan that's accepting them. 

As of now, accepting bitcoins for political action committees (depending on type of committee) is already legal under existing rules.  The FEC has not provided specific guidance on how to do so, but it also has not "banned" the donation of bitcoins to campaigns.  There's a lot of misinformation out there from media sources that misinterpreted the hearing. 

[bryant.coleman]

From the Texas Tribune, concerning the announcment of Steve Stockman (R-TX) to accept Bitcoin donations...

That was a great step forward for the BTC. I thought that the mainstream parties will stay away from the digital currency. This will get us good publicity!

[DeboraMeeks]

I doubt bitcoin will be the new point to fight on this time,and although it will get allot of press if that happens some people might take an opinion against it because of there political opinions or the press against it.