[thoughtomator]

Read the Constitution.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

[CyberAnt]

"The House of Representatives shall ... have the sole Power of Impeachment."

"The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments"

If the House imposes the "impeachment" (it's not an indictment). Trying the "impeachment" means Clinton was CHARGED with impeachment before the Senate did anything. The "trial" is to reveal the facts of the "impeachment" .. and no democrat wanted the FACTS revealed.