Political commentator and columnist Mark Shields dies at 85
Political commentator and columnist Mark Shields dies at 85
CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Political commentator and columnist Mark Shields, who shared his insight into American politics and wit on “PBS NewsHour” for decades, died Saturday. He was 85.
CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Political commentator and columnist Mark Shields, who shared his insight into American politics and wit on “PBS NewsHour” for decades, died Saturday. He was 85.
Shields died at his Chevy Chase, Maryland, home,
Shields died at his Chevy Chase, Maryland, home,
from kidney failure, “PBS NewsHour” spokesman Nick Massella said.
from kidney failure, “PBS NewsHour” spokesman Nick Massella said.
Shields was a regular on the show starting in 1987
Shields was a regular on the show starting in 1987
the year the show began, and stepped down from his regular Friday night discussion segment in December 2020
the year the show began, and stepped down from his regular Friday night discussion segment in December 2020
He had collaborated with David Brooks since 2001 to provide analysis and commentary in their weekly Shields & Brooks segment and during election specials and conventions and before that with David Gergen and Paul Gigot
He had collaborated with David Brooks since 2001 to provide analysis and commentary in their weekly Shields & Brooks segment and during election specials and conventions and before that with David Gergen and Paul Gigot
according to “PBS NewsHour.” His tenure there spanned six presidencies.
according to “PBS NewsHour.” His tenure there spanned six presidencies.
Brooks tweeted his 2020 tribute to Shields in The New York Times
Brooks tweeted his 2020 tribute to Shields in The New York Times
calling it “an attempt to capture one of the finest and beloved men” he had ever known
calling it “an attempt to capture one of the finest and beloved men” he had ever known
“We’ve had thousands of disagreements over the years, but never a second of acrimony,” Brooks wrote in the piece.
“We’ve had thousands of disagreements over the years, but never a second of acrimony,” Brooks wrote in the piece.
Mark radiates a generosity of spirit that improves all who come within his light.”
Mark radiates a generosity of spirit that improves all who come within his light.”
Judy Woodruff, “PBS NewsHour” anchor and managing editor, tweeted that she was ”heartbroken” to share the news and noted Shields’ wife Anne was at his side at his death.
Judy Woodruff, “PBS NewsHour” anchor and managing editor, tweeted that she was ”heartbroken” to share the news and noted Shields’ wife Anne was at his side at his death.
Mark Shields had a magical combination of talents: an unsurpassed knowledge of politics and a passion, joy
Mark Shields had a magical combination of talents: an unsurpassed knowledge of politics and a passion, joy
and irrepressible humor that shone through in all his work,” Woodruff said in a statement. “He loved most politicians, but could spot a phony and was always bold to call out injustice.
and irrepressible humor that shone through in all his work,” Woodruff said in a statement. “He loved most politicians, but could spot a phony and was always bold to call out injustice.
Along with Jim Lehrer and Robin MacNeil, he personified all that’s special in the PBS NewsHour.“
Along with Jim Lehrer and Robin MacNeil, he personified all that’s special in the PBS NewsHour.“
For decades, she said, Shields “wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart.”
For decades, she said, Shields “wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart.”
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