Judging by the evidence, the 8 federal prosecutors were fired because they weren't loyal "Bushies". Firing almost 10% of federal prosecutors in the middle of a President's second term is unprecedented. But it fits neatly into the administration's pattern of partisan activity. It's part of the master plan of Rove, Bush, Cheney et al to replace all Democrats and moderate, centrist or even ordinary conservative Republicans with radical Republicans of the "Bushie" stamp.
The "Bushie" types are easy to distinguish. They are members of the Federalist Society. They have the correct stance on Roe v. Wade. They've done fundraising or "dirty tricks" for the Republican Party. A plus: they've attended Regent University Law School, a school founded by Pat Robertson.
At least 150 graduates of Regent's law school have served in the Bush administration. Before 2001, it was rare for Regent graduates to get government jobs. However, the Bush administration's appointment of the Dean of Regent's Government School, Kay Cole James, as Director of the Office of Personnel Management, caused the doors of opportunity to be thrown open to Regent alumni. Although the Regent Law School is accredited by the ABA, it is ranked in the fourth (and lowest) tier by U.S. News and World Report, tied for 136 out of 170 law schools surveyed. It is ranked lower than the typical alma mater of Department of Justice employees. These Regent graduates have less experience in (among other things) civil rights.
This is all part and parcel of the conspiracy to wed church and state throughout the three branches of government, replacing the Founding Fathers' vision with Pat Robertson's vision, "There is no such thing as separation of church and state in the Constitution. It is a lie of the left and we are not going to take it anymore." (November 1993 during an address to the American Center for Law and Justice) The marriage of the Bush administration and Robertson's evangelicals is mutually beneficial. Bush gets loyal, unwavering proselytizers who toe the company line. The "Bushies" get jobs and other treasure during their lifetime. They don't have to wait for Judgment Day to get their due.
More about this later.