Why was the bitter political partisanship in washington, d. c., in the 1990s so unexpected?

The  bitter political partisanship in Washington, D.C., in the 1990's was so unexpected:

Because the President Bill Clinton was not on the right or left side but was moving towards the political center.

Explanation:

Political Center:

In Political terminology, the political center is defined as the moderate stance in which you are not either supporting or opposing something.

In 1990's

the anwser is missions