Since kicking incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley out of his House seat in Queens, incoming Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has carved out a persona for herself as a young, hip democratic socialist prone to the occasional gaffe. She’s also become a favorite target of ham-fisted attempts to shame and mock her personal life.

It behooves conservatives to stop the cheap shots, because they make the right look petty while allowing her to claim the high ground and highlight her savvy at the same time.

The Internet has scrutinized Ocasio-Cortez since the moment she arrived on the national stage. When she posed in a photoshoot for Interview magazine, critics slammed her for wearing an expensive suit and shoes.