Palin's Perplexing Political Pull Out

It's not even safe to go to a July 4th weekend barbecue without a big news story breaking, in this case the surprising, some might even say bizarre news that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has up and quit her job in Alaska with a year and a half left in her term.
From her rambling remarks, Palin seemed to be saying she decided she wouldn't stand for re-election and when she decided that, she figured she might as well quit now so she wouldn't be a lame duck.
She said, "Many just accept that lame duck status, and they hit that road. They draw a paycheck. They kind of milk it. And I'm not going to put Alaskans through that."
HUH?
NPR report w/CNN video HERE

Related:
Alaska's governor Sarah Palin to resign, dooming her presidential pipe dream
Palin: shades of Nixon's 'this is my last press conference' speech
Columnists name Palin 'Sitting Duck'