Haley made it all look easy, in part because she’s a good politician — a daughter of Indian immigrants in a state renowned for ugly politics who managed to win two governor’s races.

But she’s also willing to do something too few politicians with charm and luck on their side bother to do: her homework. After all, she started out as the family bookkeeper at 13.

The timing and manner of her decision was near perfect. Once again, she’s not only leaving on a high note, she’s leaving as the only prominent Republican around today who can simultaneously unite the party and also appeal to non-Republicans. (Which is why you can expect the knives to come out soon.)