[ Sure, because if you wipe out a big blue city like New York or Los Angeles Obama can’t win reelection. Obama won by 8 million votes. Vaporize the 90% blue city of New York and you have made up that margin in one flash. ]
I would worry that they would let a heavily red industrial area get attacked.
Or save attack till after election to solidify potical mandate/power.
We elect a POTUS using an electoral, not popular, system.
NY state is a lost cause no matter what.
100% of the state could vote for Baraq and it would make no difference in the election outcome.
The path to victory lies in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. New York, Illinois, and California are lost causes. That's why $$ won't be a big factor this time, the campaign can be concentrated in a few states.