The Analysis Washington defines itself as a divided state, supporting President Clinton in the last two presidential elections, sending a Democrat and Republican to the Senate, replacing former Speaker of the House Tom Foley with Republican novice George Nethercutt, and returning control of the state senate to the Democrats in 1998, while establishing a 49-49 split in the state legislature.
Postman s emphasis on the middle ground embodies the mindset of the average Washingtonian.
A state that prides itself on its lack of party registration and autonomy of vote, Washington voters decide on the issue and the candidate, rather than on the party. For Washington s politicians, the voters freedom of choice necessitates that candidates present a broad base of policy and ideology, thus maintaining a needed balance that satisfies both conservative eastern Washington, and liberal western Washington. Passed Initiative 601 creating a fiscal spending lid for the state government in 1994. In 1998 Initiative 694 restricting partial birth abortion failed. Voters passed Initiative 692 authorizing the use of medicinal marijuana in 1998.