What was the point of impeaching Clinton after the 1998 midterm elections?

[darklordoftech]

In the 1998 midterm elections, the Democrats gained seats because of Gingrich's partisanship, so Gingrich decided that he would resign from the House once the 1998 Congress took office. However, during the lame duck period of his career, Gingrich decided to through with impeaching Clinton. What was the point of this considering that neither Gingrich nor Clinton would ever be running for office again?

[SWE]

The point was that Clinton was unambiguously guilty of "high crimes and misdemeanors" and thus was not fit for office.

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

Why do Democrats keep spreading this myth that Gingrich was behind the Clinton impeachment? He wasn't. Read any insider account on the subject...

[Orser67]

Republicans had gone all-in on the impeachment for the last year, and they felt like they had to keep going to keep their credibility and please their base.

[All Along The Watchtower]

Spite.

[fluffypanther19]

The point was that Clinton was unambiguously guilty of "high crimes and misdemeanors" and thus was not fit for office.

[AtorBoltox]

Because if they hadn't it would be obvious it was a partisan move done solely for electoral gain

[Nichlemn]

Because if they hadn't it would be obvious it was a partisan move done solely for electoral gain

Couldn't they have backed off and said something like "We've learned our lesson: this past election shows the American people do not agree?"

[Statilius the Epicurean]

It did possibly win the 2000 Presidential election for Republicans because Gore didn't want Clinton campaigning for him.