The Rudy boosters seem to think that if Rudy wins, the Dems won't bring Kerik up. Repeatedly and with gusto.
Of course they will.
The answer is to point out the admittedly great job he did while working for Rudy.
I have every confidence that primary opponents will point out these issues and they'll be long dead by the general if Rudy is in fact the nominee.
As for your other, quite reasonable, answer, how frequently has anti-gun legislation come close to victory in Congress, and how often would Presidential intervention have actually accomplished anything?
My understanding is that in today's political environment, you introduce anti-gun legislation at your peril, and I don't see that changing.
D