Why do Republicans have more leeway to attack Democratic states/cities than vise-versa?

[Suburbia]

Because their base works or attends the city for events (Yanks/Mets/Knicks games) and they want to be sure that the police that patrols the city, has the tools to do so while they're in town.

That goes by the wayside, they see liberal Democratic politicians responsible for not allowing the cops to do their job and not being afraid to arrest a minority for something wrong.

Republicans see themselves as "real Americans" and if Dems attack the rural dysfunction, then the Dems are called elitist.

It's a tricky thing.