Andy Beshear Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Congressman Clyburn, Learning from the Past and an Upsidedown Week in Politics
Air Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Andy Beshear
Guest: Representative Jim Clyburn

Episode Overview

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Andy Beshear sits down with Congressman Jim Clyburn, a 17-term veteran of the U.S. House of Representatives, to discuss gratitude, lessons from history, the evolution of American politics, faith, legislative accomplishments, and the current political climate. The episode is rich with reflections on personal and public life, interspersed with stories of family, the importance of accessible social programs, and Representative Clyburn's new book, The First Eight. The conversation is followed by a lighter segment with frequent guests John Rabinowitz and John McConnell, who, along with Andy, react to an “upside-down week” in politics and share a bit of birthday celebration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thankfulness and Family Traditions (00:23–06:45)

• Gratitude Amidst Turmoil:
  • Clyburn emphasizes being thankful for life, family, friends, and the opportunity living in America provides—even amidst social and political challenges.
    • “This is a great country. We've got to figure out... How do we make this country's greatness accessible and affordable for all of its citizens?” — Rep. Clyburn (02:42)
• Clyburn Family Traditions:
  • Talks about family Thanksgivings after the passing of his wife; girls spend Thanksgiving with in-laws and Christmas together at Hilton Head for reflection and togetherness.
  • Reveals his favorite Thanksgiving dish: oxtails.
    • “I like turkey. I don't love turkey. I'm more of an oxtails guy.” — Rep. Clyburn (06:32)

2. Politics, Bipartisanship, and Polarization (06:45–11:36)

• Then vs. Now in Congress:
  • Clyburn recalls a more respectful, bipartisan Congress when he joined, and how polarization began post-1994 with the Gingrich era.
    • “It was a place where people demonstrated respect for each other… but around 1994… that election began the polarization.” — Rep. Clyburn (07:54)
  • Discusses the shift with the “majority of the majority” rule, ending much bipartisan legislation.
    • “They were not going to bring anything to the floor unless they had a majority of their conference in favor of it.” — Andy Beshear (09:09)
• Favorite Legislative Moments:
  • Passing the Affordable Care Act as Majority Whip, but regrets that Democrats didn’t spend enough time communicating its benefits post-passage.
    • “We told the people what we were going to do and we did it… And we did not go back to them to explain to them everything that we had done… and the other side defined the Affordable Care Act, misdefined it, but they did it.” — Rep. Clyburn (11:36)

3. Making Policy Personal and Affordable (12:10–15:02)

• Policy Should Be Tangible:
  • Both agree that voters care most about tangible issues—healthcare costs, affordable prescriptions, etc.—regardless of background or politics.
    • “If you can't afford your child's next prescription, nothing else matters.” — Andy Beshear (14:11)
  • Clyburn discusses how public policy wins in recent elections came from making programs—like education, health care, and housing—more affordable and accessible.

4. Election Strategy and State Politics (16:09–18:50)

• Importance of State-Level Politics:
  • Beshear and Clyburn discuss the need to focus on governor's races and state legislatures as central to national election outcomes.
    • “We lost over 1,000 legislative seats during [Obama’s] eight years in office.” — Rep. Clyburn (16:53)
• How Democrats Win in the South:
  • Make policy personal, relevant to voters’ lives, families, and communities rather than talking in abstract terms.

5. Learning from History & The New Book (18:50–29:17)

• Reflecting at Selma & Historical Parallels:
  • Both reflect on the significance of the Selma march for voting rights and its meaning for today.
    • “At the time… only 3% of African Americans in the entire state of Alabama were registered to vote. So that march was all about… a message to the country that we are not a part of this great democracy.” — Rep. Clyburn (20:10)
• Clyburn’s New Book: The First Eight
  • Originally about the eight Black Congressmembers from South Carolina before him, it evolved to draw explicit parallels between post-Reconstruction voter suppression and current events (e.g., attempts to overturn elections, Project 2025).
    • “What’s going on today is not new. It’s happened before… Hopefully, we’ve learned some lessons.” — Rep. Clyburn (24:53)
  • Recounts how key moments in U.S. history—impeachment, Reconstruction, rise of Jim Crow—came down to one consequential vote.

Notable Quote

• “History has a way of repeating itself… If you fail to learn the lessons of history, you’re bound to repeat them.” — Rep. Clyburn (24:57)

6. Policy Topics: Tariffs, Tax Bills, and Social Welfare (29:17–35:47)

• Tariffs:
  • Clyburn explains that tariffs are taxes paid by citizens and criticizes their current use as reactionary.
    • “Anybody that mistakes a tariff for anything other than a tax that's going to eventually be paid by the citizens... you miss the history of tariffs.” — Rep. Clyburn (29:32)
• “Big Ugly Bill”:
  • Both criticize major recent legislation for cutting social programs to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.
    • “We cut food for children. We reduce health care for citizens. And when you look at what we did with things like Medicare, putting a cap on insulin at $35 a month for people who can't afford $6-700.” — Rep. Clyburn (31:24)

7. Personal Motivation, Faith, and Hope (35:47–42:01)

• Clyburn’s “Why”:
  • Driven by a love for South Carolina and a desire to “make a contribution to helping make South Carolina a better place.”
    • Inspired by his high school teacher’s advice to stay and help improve the state rather than join the brain drain.
• The Role of Faith:
  • Clyburn and Beshear reflect on the importance of acting on faith and using one’s talents for good.
    • “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” — Rep. Clyburn quoting Hebrews 11:1 (37:16)
  • Clyburn highlights the Matthew 25 ethic—serving “the least of these”—and James: “faith without works is dead.”

Memorable Family Parables

• “You pray every day for good health and strength… if the good Lord gives you some modicum of both, get up off your knees and go to work.” — Rep. Clyburn recalling his father (40:34)
• “I think the world would much rather see a sermon than to hear one.” — Rep. Clyburn’s father quoting Edgar Guess

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Passing the ACA:
  • “So we told the people what we were going to do and we did it. And we did not go back to them to explain to them everything that we had done. So we lose 50 some odd seats in the next election because the other side defined the Affordable Care act, misdefined it, but they did it.” (11:36, Clyburn)
• On Faith and Politics:
  • “We ought not leave our faith on the sideline. We should practice that faith to the fullest extent.” (38:10, Clyburn)
• On History:
  • “If you fail to learn the lessons of history, you're bound to repeat them.” (24:57, Clyburn, quoting Santayana)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thanksgiving and Family Talk: 00:23–06:45
• Congress Then and Now, Polarization: 06:45–11:36
• Affordable Care Act and Communication Lessons: 11:36–14:06
• Election Strategies and State Politics: 16:09–18:50
• Selma and Voting Rights: 18:50–22:18
• New Book – The First Eight: 22:24–29:17
• Tariffs, Economic Policy & “Big Ugly Bill”: 29:17–35:47
• Personal Motivation, Faith & Hope: 35:47–42:01

"The Johns" Segment: Political Upside-Down & Birthday (44:42–End)

Highlights

• Discuss Trump’s surprising support for New York’s new (presumably Democratic) mayor and public split with Marjorie Taylor Greene.
• Human trafficking and the Epstein files: Beshear pivots to emphasize victim support over political jockeying.
  • “Human trafficking is a horrific crime... The most important thing is that perpetrators are held accountable and that victims find the healing and the services they need.” — Andy Beshear (46:46)
• Government shutdown: Everyone loses; Congressional Republicans and the President singled out for failing to protect working/middle class public and food security.
• Lighthearted moment: the Johns celebrate Andy’s birthday (“Superpower confirmed!” for his Thanksgiving turkey).

Final Thoughts & Tone

The episode is infused with warmth, gratitude, and a deep sense of civic responsibility. Clyburn’s historical perspective and commitment to service mix with Andy Beshear's conversational, empathetic style, making for a reflective yet hopeful discussion about both enduring and current challenges in American political and personal life.

If you missed the episode:

• Expect to learn about how personal stories shape public service.
• Get a first-hand view of how U.S. history echoes into today’s political fights.
• Appreciate frank takes on the state of bipartisan cooperation, social policy, and the role of faith.
• Enjoy relatable reminders to cherish family, hope, and the power of a home-cooked meal.

Where to Buy the Book

• The First Eight by Jim Clyburn is available at major bookstores, Amazon, and Little, Brown (the publisher).
  • “Order them both. They make great Christmas presents.” — Rep. Clyburn (29:18)