PBS NewsHour Commentator Mark Shields Dies At Age 85
Source: NPR
Mark Shields, the longtime PBS News commentator known for his weekly political analysis, has died Saturday morning at the age of 85, PBS NewsHour confirmed. Shields died of kidney failure at his home in Chevy Chase, Md., NewsHour spokesman Nick Massella told NPR.
Before he retired in 2020, Shields provided thoughtful insights into the administrations of six U.S. presidents, on the Persian Gulf War, the Iran-Contra affair and 9/11. His tenure lasted for 33 years. Shields was known for both his sense of humor and his expansive knowledge of American politics, Judy Woodruff, the anchor and managing editor of NewsHour said in a tweet announcing his death.
"I am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour's beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side," Woodruff tweeted.
The Wall Street Journal called Shields "the wittiest political analyst around" and The Washington Post described him as "a walking almanac of American politics." "Mark radiates a generosity of spirit that improves all who come within his light," David Brooks, a New York Times columnist, wrote shortly after Shields retired. The two discussed politics together on NewsHour Friday evenings for nearly two decades...
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/18/1106054812/mark-shields-pbs-newshour-commentator-dies
- Mark Shields, American political columnist and commentator.
BootinUp
(47,139 posts)appalachiablue
(41,118 posts)Airport I remember walking past him, and the warm smile and nod he gave us with those twinkly, friendly eyes.
elleng
(130,861 posts)Mark Shields and David Brooks analyzed the political news of the week?
CTyankee
(63,901 posts)old, clunky sounding one!
Hieronymus Phact
(369 posts)-A snot-nosed punk,
I remember Shields and Gergen.
I'm going to miss him.
elleng
(130,861 posts)2naSalit
(86,524 posts)Since he retired. I really liked him and would watch NewsHour just for his segment sometimes and disappointed when he wasn't on. He always left me with a sense of comfort or resolve when things in DC were dire.
Rest peacefully, Sir.
Quakerfriend
(5,450 posts)rubbersole
(6,684 posts)He was always so polite when making much more sense than David Brooks.
2naSalit
(86,524 posts)I remember when David Gergen was his sparring partner, that was worth watching both parties. I still watched after Brooks got on there hoping, I guess, for him to wise up or have someone, while Shields was away, reach across the desk and dope slap him. He came up with such unbelievable crap.
Anyway, Mr. Shields was gracious in the presence of such cluelessness and occasionally corrected him as politely as could be. I was in awe of that man's diplomatic skill which only made me respect him more and made it worth suffering the dunce to have the chance to hear a wise man of note.
Lil Liberal Laura
(228 posts)A good journalist, too.
mobeau69
(11,140 posts)NNadir
(33,512 posts)LoisB
(7,197 posts)Paladin
(28,250 posts)Polybius
(15,373 posts)RIP.
BumRushDaShow
(128,790 posts)but that would make sense considering how long he had been around and on the air.
That's a loss.
R.I.P. and condolences to his family.
NewHendoLib
(60,013 posts)bluecollar2
(3,622 posts)I looked forward to his insights and opinions. A decent and objective person. I'll miss him.
RIP Mr. Shields
Hekate
(90,635 posts)Ohio Joe
(21,748 posts)ConstanceCee
(314 posts)For many years, Mark Shields was my Friday night "date", starting way back when it was Gergen and Shields. My kids knew that 7 pm on Friday was my TV time. Thank you, Mark Shields.
2naSalit
(86,524 posts)Conversation to watch when Gergen was on. I rarely watched commercial teevee when I was around one so I would opt for real news.
Karadeniz
(22,493 posts)Rastapopoulos
(675 posts)We could use more like him.
librechik
(30,674 posts)Back in the day when I worked in the sadly missed Denver Office of the NewsHour. She was thrilled! What a gent! Thank you NewsHour for Mark Shields and may he RIP.
Quixote1818
(28,928 posts)wendyb-NC
(3,320 posts)He was one of the best. He was a knowledgeable, principled and informed about his topics. I enjoyed his commentary, he was informative and truthful.
Chalco
(1,307 posts)and whenever he'd walk by me on Connecticut Avenue he'd smile. We weren't
friends. He could tell I recognized him and he'd smile.
deurbano
(2,894 posts)I appreciated his work. He gave me that smile, and thanked me, and just seemed very gracious.
callous taoboy
(4,584 posts)I always loved hearing him say, "I'm going to have to disagree with David."
Demovictory9
(32,445 posts)Kingofalldems
(38,444 posts)No Vested Interest
(5,165 posts)Quiet, subtle humor and wisdom.
Oh, how I miss that type of man.
appalachiablue
(41,118 posts)electric_blue68
(14,863 posts)Wild blueberry
(6,623 posts)Rest in peace. Thank you.
area51
(11,905 posts)I enjoyed listening to him.
BradAllison
(1,879 posts)The political piano guy.
geardaddy
(24,926 posts)RIP