It’s what we all know but few on the left ever admit; criticism of Islam is off-limits because of fear. This is a fascinating piece of audio in light of how Islam has risen in the world since current MSNBC host, Lawrence O’Donnell made a shocking admission nearly five years ago on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show.

No one in the media has been more critical of Mitt Romney’s religion more than O’Donnell. Some might remember that the MSNBC host was critical of Mormonism the last time Romney ran for president four years ago too but during an interview with Hewitt, O’Donnell admitted that the reason he is not critical of Islam is because he is “afraid.”

To hear the audio, click here and fast forward to the 18:00 mark.

Here is the transcript via NewsBusters:

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: I don’t think he [Mitt Romney] believes everything in the Book of Mormon. I think he’s lying about that. It’s an insane document produced by a madman who was a criminal and a rapist. […]

HUGH HEWITT: Would you say the same things about Mohammed as you just said about Joseph Smith?

O’DONNELL: Oh, well, I’m afraid of what the…that’s where I’m really afraid. I would like to criticize Islam much more than I do publicly, but I’m afraid for my life if I do.

HEWITT: Well, that’s candid.

O’DONNELL: Mormons are the nicest people in the world. They’re not going to ever…

HEWITT: So you can be bigoted towards Mormons, because they’ll just send you a strudel.

O’DONNELL: They’ll never take a shot at me. Those other people, I’m not going to say a word about them.

HEWITT: They’ll send you a strudel. The Mormons will bake you a cake and be nice to you.

O’DONNELL: I agree.

HEWITT: Lawrence O’Donnell, I appreciate your candor.

h/t Jeffrey Lord at the American Spectator