Mark Shields, a nationally known columnist and moderator of CNN's "Capital Gang," has provided weekly political analysis on The NewsHour since 1988.

In 1979, he began writing his column on national politics for The Washington Post. The column is now distributed nationally by Creators Syndicate. Shields provided political analysis of the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections, and in 1988 contributed to the political coverage that won a Peabody for The NewsHour. Shields has also provided election analysis for CBS and NBC.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mark then served as an enlisted man in the Marines. He is the author of "On the Campaign Trail," a narrative account which documents the 1984 presidential race. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.