ABOUT
Elegant writer. Analytical thinker. Ardent commentator.
Robert Leger knows a thing or two about influencing public opinion. In more than 20 years leading editorial pages in Missouri and Arizona, he wrote thousands of editorials and columns, edited nearly as many guest columns and read countless letters to the editor. He saw his work change communities. He understands how public debate unfolds and the strategies that advance good ideas.
Robert earned respect from readers and colleagues. He was elected president of the nation’s largest organization of journalists. He led or served on steering committees for state and national freedom of information organizations. He moderated or was a panelist for political debates from town council to U.S. senator. And he won national awards for his writing.
Robert can do it all. As one reader noted: “Your ability to ferret out the core of issues is keen. Your knowledge and understanding of the implications of various points of view is superb. And your ability to write in such a way as to communicate clearly and cogently your ideas is truly impressive.”
HIS WORK
Writer
Robert is an elegant writer, able to clearly and concisely present a fact-based argument, building point upon point to a logical, solid conclusion. Education and First Amendment issues were among his favorite topics as an editorialist. He is able to quickly research any topic, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of an argument, and produce a compelling essay on tight deadlines. (Click on the clips to read the full article.)
Editor
A good editor helps a writer produce the most compelling final product possible. Robert did that with both of the examples shown here:
--A rare front-page editorial laid out a three-point plan for reforming the Veterans Affairs health-care system in the wake of the wait-time scandal that began in Phoenix. In addition to working with the writer to shape the in-depth editorial, Robert advocated for the solution by sharing the essay with editorial page colleagues nationwide, appearing in a video distributed to NBC television stations and sending the editorial to Arizona's congressional delegation and congressional veterans committee chairs. He will bring the same devotion to promoting your important ideas.
-- A three-day series looked at realities along the border, including what happens to the unidentified remains of border crossers who die in Arizona's deserts. The project was so powerful readers told us it changed their view of immigration reform.
Blogger
"I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead," Mark Twain may have said. He needed a blog, where short and to-the-point wins. You can read Robert on his blog page, or see what he had to say during his time at The Arizona Republic.
