semantics of ** (unexpected/inconsistent?)

[Esmail]

Ok, this is somewhat unexpected:

Python 2.6.2 (release26-maint, Apr 19 2009, 01:56:41)
[GCC 4.3.3] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.


 >>> -3**2
-9

 >>> x = -3

 >>> x**2
9
 >>>

I would have expected the same result in both cases.

Initially I would have expected -3**2 to yield 9, but I can accept
that ** binds tighter than the unary -, but shouldn't the results
be consistent regardless if I use a literal or a variable?