Much stock has been placed in the House's "sole power to impeach," but what does that really mean? If one reads Federalist #65 on Impeachment, it is clear that this does not authorize this procedure for any reason (or no reason) at all. Instead it means that no other institution in the government has this power.
The House of Representatives and Senate were chosen for this procedure because they represented the greatest number of elected officials, in the expectation that such a drastic action would only be taken if there was a national consensus to do so. Even though political parties had not yet formed, Hamilton had the foresight to warn against the partisan proceedings we are now witnessing:
there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.
Impeachment Clauses: Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 65, 439--45
The House of Representatives and Senate were chosen for this procedure because they represented the greatest number of elected officials, in the expectation that such a drastic action would only be taken if there was a national consensus to do so. Even though political parties had not yet formed, Hamilton had the foresight to warn against the partisan proceedings we are now witnessing:
there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.
Impeachment Clauses: Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 65, 439--45