Real-world issues, fantasy-land solutions

By Fred Hiatt

Run to the extreme in the primary, move to the center in the fall: That’s expected. But moving from the cartoon world the Republican presidential candidates have constructed back into three dimensions might prove more difficult.

In their debate Wednesday night, the remaining candidates seemed to be continuing their drift from reality — the reality of a center-right electorate they propose to woo and govern, and of the complexities of the problems they promise to solve.

Take immigration. Early on, Ron Paul opposed building a border fence because it might be used to keep Americans in. When it comes to drifting from reality, he was ahead of the pack. But other candidates showed glimmers of understanding that real people are affected by this issue.

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