Inside the Beltway

A SQUEEZE, A PAT

From the man who brought America “Ahab the Arab” 49 years ago comes a new tune that might not charm Transportation Security Administration director John Pistole. Grammy-winning recording artist Ray Stevens - who is performing at CPAC 2011 - is not singing about Clyde the Camel this time. It’s pat-downs and X-rated body scans that inspired his new single, “The Skies Just Aint Friendly Anymore,” included in an album released Monday.

“Traveling this great country and around the world is a wonderful freedom. We should not surrender our basic rights and dignity for a little security,” Mr. Stevens says, sharing lyrics inspired by airport security personnel: “He gave me a grope, a squeeze and a pat, and Ill tell you friends when I go to the vet - they treat my old bird dog with more dignity.”

The single can be downloaded on iTunes, Amazon.com and www.raystevens.com.

POLL DU JOUR

- 47 percent of likely U.S. voters describe themselves as “fiscal conservatives”; 7 percent are “liberal on fiscal policy issues.”

- 76 percent of Republicans say they are fiscal conservatives; 52 percent of Democrats say they are “fiscal moderates.”

- 55 percent of men and 40 percent of women say they are fiscal conservatives.

- 42 percent of voters overall say they are “social conservatives”; 26 percent are “liberal on social issues.”

- 69 percent of Republicans and 24 percent of Democrats say they are social conservatives.

- 47 percent of men and 37 percent of women are social conservatives.

Source: A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

- Hurrahs, hisses, hoopla to jharper@washingtontimes.com.

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