COLUMBIA (AP) - Governor Mark Sanford's office has lost eight aides and several Cabinet members since he was sworn in nearly three years ago.

But political observers are divided over the turnover's impact.

Bob McAlister, former chief of staff for Governor Carroll Campbell, says the changes cause temporary disorder but are not uncommon.

But Kevin Geddings, a former chief of staff for Governor Jim Hodges, says not having a stable senior staff affects how the whole place works and is disruptive.

Last week, Sanford's communications director Chris Drummond announced he was leaving and administration director Michael Cavanaugh was fired after he was arrested on a public
drunkenness charge.