8. "Fear Itself" - Toby Quotes FDR's First Inaugural Address When Referring To The "Incredible History" Of Second Inaugurals
In an episode that sees the arrival of Will Bailey in the West Wing offices for the first time, Toby discusses with his new speechwriting recruit the "incredible history" of second inaugurals. In "Arctic Radar" (Season 4, Episode 9), Toby says:
"There's an incredible history to second inaugurals: 'fear itself', Lincoln... I really thought I was on my way to being one of those guys. I thought I was close."
Yet the "fear itself" quote to which Toby is referring to was actually mentioned in President Franklin D Roosevelt's first inaugural address in March 1933, and not his second four years later. FDR's famous line of "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" was not actually in his second inaugural at all... and a speechwriter as experienced and well-researched as Toby would not make such a mistake.