When President Bush talks about the very real threat that radical Jihadists pose around the world, Democrats accuse him of “fear mongering.” But when a much-hyped rival poses a threat to Democratic presidential hopefuls, suddenly fear mongering is in fashion:

Are the American people ready for an elected president who was educated in a Madrassa as a young boy and has not been forthcoming about his Muslim heritage?

This is the question Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s camp is asking about Sen. Barack Obama.

An investigation of Mr. Obama by political opponents within the Democratic Party has discovered that Mr. Obama was raised as a Muslim by his stepfather in Indonesia. Sources close to the background check, which has not yet been released, said Mr. Obama, 45, spent at least four years in a so-called Madrassa, or Muslim seminary, in Indonesia.

“He was a Muslim, but he concealed it,” the source said. “His opponents within the Democrats hope this will become a major issue in the campaign.”

Update: Barack Obama denies that he was educated in a madrassa, and the Clinton camp denies that they were the source for the story. The story was reportedly based on a single unnamed source and has not been substantiated by a second source. (Hat tip: Ed Morrissey.)