Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made a shocking announcement today, saying she will step down as governor.She said she would resign at the end of this month and transfer power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell effective July 25.Palin's decision now allows her to avoid the difficult task of running for president while serving as governor in 2012.She gained national prominence when Republican presidential candidate John McCain picked her as his running mate last year. But her approval ratings in the state have skidded in recent months.Palin has been dogged in recent months by ethics inquiries. Her office last month announced the 15th dismissal of an ethics complaint against her or one of her staff.Something seems very fishy here. We'll wait for the real story as to why she's quitting to come out.