What a shocker?

When John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate, the only qualifications she could point to were being mayor of her hometown and serving part of one term as governor of Alaska.

She announced Friday that she will not finish that term. She's stepping down by the end of the month. Why? "No more politics as usual," she said. Over and over.(See the video after the jump.)  She also said lots of other stuff. She talked about basketball a lot. And a refrigerator magnet that says: "Don't explain - your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway."

The magnet should've added: "...unless you're governor and you're resigning in the middle of your first term."

The closest she came to an explanation: She's not going to run for reelection, so she's quitting now to avoid being a lame duck.

Since she did it at the start of the 4th of July weekend when everyone is tired of hearing about Michael Jackson, TV pundits will dissect her decision to death. Already, a panel on Lou Dobbs concluded to a man that it's "political suicide."

Some are theorizing that she's quitting so that she can earn money from speaking engagements and other opportunities unencumbered by office. Others say she plans to spend the time between now and 2012 staying in the public eye in preparation for a presidential candidacy. Still others say she's leaving before some still unknown scandal breaks (sex tape, anyone?).

Time will tell.