I’m all for secession TO Pennsylvania, but I am totally opposed to NYC becoming a “51st state.” No way would I want to add two more lib senators, whether they are RINOs or far-leftists like are there now, to the senate.
One great advance would be to split electoral votes a la Maine/Nebraska. A GOP candidate could conceivably focus on upstate and collect 10-12 EVs. Today, Dems take the entire state for granted and the GOP ignores them.
In 2000 GWB came to the Binghamton St. Patrick's day parade. Complete waste of time on his part.
But you actually might end up with 2 more conservative senators, since NY sends libs now, if upstate sent conservatives (or really just “more” conservative) it would be a plus for our side.