The Most Chaotic Election in American History Was Saved by an Irish Immigrant, and a Conversation with Congressman James Clyburn

The Preamble

Sharon McMahon

Government, History, Storytelling, Education

4.9 • 15.1K Ratings

🗓️ 24 November 2025

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Meet the Irish immigrant who used fireplace tongs to fight a member of Congress, was thrown in jail for insulting a president, and ultimately changed the course of American history. Plus, Sharon talks with powerful Democratic Congressman James Clyburn in a wide-ranging conversation that touches on the drama currently happening in the House, his life growing up as a Black child in the south, and why people of color need something other than equality. They discuss his new book, The First Eight, on the eight Black Congressmen who came before him and the gripping parallels between post-Civil War America and today. It’s an interview that’s equal parts history lesson, warning, and inspiration — and even touches on Clyburn’s personal relationship with one of Sharon’s favorite historical figures: Septima Clark. If you’d like to submit a question, head to ThePreamble.com/podcast – we’d love to hear from you there. And be sure to read our weekly magazine at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join the 350,000 people who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:23.6	HelloVet.
0:29.8	Matthew Lyon didn't glide into Congress the way some men did, carried by polish and pedigree.
0:40.9	He arrived like a force, an Irish immigrant with a face carved by work and weather, eyebrows angled in permanent skepticism, and the unmistakable
0:47.8	air of a man who had clawed his way into rooms never meant for him. Nothing about lion was built for deference.
0:57.7	At each 15, he bordered a ship bound for the American colonies,
1:01.0	willing to subject himself to a long, unpleasant voyage in a ship's hold,
1:06.1	tossed on tempestuous seas,
1:08.4	and blanketed by the rankness of his fellow beleaguered passengers.
1:13.3	Sickness was rampant. Food was scarce. And those who survived the voyage arrived thin and exhausted.
1:23.7	More on that story in a moment, but first, welcome to the preamble podcast. If you're new each week,
1:29.3	you'll hear some of the most interesting stories from our weekly magazine, also called The Preamble.
1:34.4	This week, we're focused on political parties and have some really interesting stories for you
1:39.0	that you can find on the preamble.com. In today's episode, I'm speaking with prominent Democratic Congressman James Clyburn.
1:46.4	He's held several leadership positions in the party, including House Majority Whip,
1:50.5	an assistant Democratic leader.
1:52.6	When he won election in 1992, he was the first black congressman to be elected in South
1:57.7	Carolina in nearly 100 years.
	...

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