As liberal pundits continue to pile up the defenses of California Gov. Gavin Newsom ahead of the looming recall, a question needs to be asked: Is it possible that the recall is Newsom’s own fault?

Liberal pundits continue to say that it isn’t. After Paul Krugman’s lackluster defense of Newsom in the New York Times, editorial board member Michelle Cottle penned her own. CNN’s Van Jones says that he is “proud to be working as an unpaid volunteer to help him keep his job.” Both have decided that the recall is not Newsom’s fault.