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appalachiablue

(41,047 posts)
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 01:01 PM Jun 2022

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.
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PBS NewsHour Commentator Mark Shields Dies At Age 85 (Original Post) appalachiablue Jun 2022 OP
Rip. Kind and thoughtful man. Nt BootinUp Jun 2022 #1
Yes, a decent man and fine journalist who gave us much. In Denver appalachiablue Jun 2022 #20
Remember when elleng Jun 2022 #2
I STILL call it "Washington Week in Review." I think it is just "Washington Week" now but I like the CTyankee Jun 2022 #23
Brooks? Hieronymus Phact Jun 2022 #29
Ah yes, Gergen. elleng Jun 2022 #31
He's been missed for a couple years... 2naSalit Jun 2022 #3
Yes, well said. RIP dear man. Quakerfriend Jun 2022 #5
Very well said. rubbersole Jun 2022 #11
David Brooks has always been a disappointment... 2naSalit Jun 2022 #35
Absolutely Lil Liberal Laura Jun 2022 #14
RIP mobeau69 Jun 2022 #4
Back in the days I used to watch PBS, I always thought very highly of his comments. RIP. NNadir Jun 2022 #6
I enjoyed watching him. RIP, Mr. Shields. LoisB Jun 2022 #7
I always really liked him. RIP. (nt) Paladin Jun 2022 #8
Oh damn I loved him Polybius Jun 2022 #9
Wow. Didn't realize his age BumRushDaShow Jun 2022 #10
Very sad, very missed. Safe passage, Mark...and thanks NewHendoLib Jun 2022 #12
I'm very sorry to hear this news bluecollar2 Jun 2022 #13
RIP -- he has been greatly missed since his retirement at age 83, but what a full life he had Hekate Jun 2022 #15
Very sad... RIP Ohio Joe Jun 2022 #16
I'm Very Sad ConstanceCee Jun 2022 #17
It was always a worth while... 2naSalit Jun 2022 #36
His type of agreeable disagreement will be missed... Karadeniz Jun 2022 #18
A good and decent man Rastapopoulos Jun 2022 #19
I had the very great pleasure of seating Mark next to my MIL at a Denver NewsHour event librechik Jun 2022 #21
Very sad. Huge fan of his. Quixote1818 Jun 2022 #22
R.I.P. Mark Shields wendyb-NC Jun 2022 #24
He was so sweet. I lived nearby.. Chalco Jun 2022 #25
I saw him in the elevator at the National Press Club years ago, and got the chance to tell him deurbano Jun 2022 #26
That is sad news. callous taoboy Jun 2022 #27
Rip Demovictory9 Jun 2022 #28
RIP Marine. Kingofalldems Jun 2022 #30
He was an old time Irishman - reminded me of my father. No Vested Interest Jun 2022 #32
You got it perfectly, wonderful person I already miss much. appalachiablue Jun 2022 #33
RIP, Mark Shields. electric_blue68 Jun 2022 #34
Good guy Wild blueberry Jun 2022 #37
RIP area51 Jun 2022 #38
I would confuse him with Mark Russell BradAllison Jun 2022 #39
I always enjoyed watching him. geardaddy Jul 2022 #40

appalachiablue

(41,047 posts)
20. Yes, a decent man and fine journalist who gave us much. In Denver
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 02:22 PM
Jun 2022

Airport I remember walking past him, and the warm smile and nod he gave us with those twinkly, friendly eyes.

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
23. I STILL call it "Washington Week in Review." I think it is just "Washington Week" now but I like the
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 02:47 PM
Jun 2022

old, clunky sounding one!

2naSalit

(86,031 posts)
3. He's been missed for a couple years...
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 01:06 PM
Jun 2022

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.

2naSalit

(86,031 posts)
35. David Brooks has always been a disappointment...
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 05:10 PM
Jun 2022

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.

BumRushDaShow

(127,260 posts)
10. Wow. Didn't realize his age
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 01:33 PM
Jun 2022

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.

bluecollar2

(3,622 posts)
13. I'm very sorry to hear this news
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 01:43 PM
Jun 2022

I looked forward to his insights and opinions. A decent and objective person. I'll miss him.

RIP Mr. Shields

ConstanceCee

(313 posts)
17. I'm Very Sad
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 02:12 PM
Jun 2022

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

(86,031 posts)
36. It was always a worth while...
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 05:15 PM
Jun 2022

Conversation to watch when Gergen was on. I rarely watched commercial teevee when I was around one so I would opt for real news.

librechik

(30,663 posts)
21. I had the very great pleasure of seating Mark next to my MIL at a Denver NewsHour event
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 02:37 PM
Jun 2022

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.

wendyb-NC

(3,250 posts)
24. R.I.P. Mark Shields
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 02:54 PM
Jun 2022

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

(1,301 posts)
25. He was so sweet. I lived nearby..
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 03:17 PM
Jun 2022

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

(2,891 posts)
26. I saw him in the elevator at the National Press Club years ago, and got the chance to tell him
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 03:27 PM
Jun 2022

I appreciated his work. He gave me that smile, and thanked me, and just seemed very gracious.

No Vested Interest

(5,156 posts)
32. He was an old time Irishman - reminded me of my father.
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 03:56 PM
Jun 2022

Quiet, subtle humor and wisdom.
Oh, how I miss that type of man.

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