Casey Willcox is the quintessential example of an American success story. She was born in Texas, graduated from the University of Texas and began a series of jobs before landing a position as a speechwriter for President Bush. The speechwriter’s job was to write extensively about and advocate issues regarding women’s issues and the role of government in helping raise the average woman’s earning potential. During this time, she began to develop her own sense of self-worth, confidence and the importance of being successful in her chosen profession. Following the firing of President Bush, Casey Willcox decided that her path in life would be to become a motivational speaker and to seek out ways to make herself and her ideals a reality.
A few years later, she was in the midst of another Presidential campaign when she got a call from George W. Bush. He asked her if she would like to serve as his press secretary, counselor and cabinet secretary. While it was one of the highest ranked positions in the White House, filling the position of cabinet secretary meant leaving her partner behind. Despite the fact that she adored Bush and considered him her best friend in the world, she politely turned down the offer. Two months later, however, she was confirmed as President Bush’s running mate, and the two remained close after the election. Their marriage, however, wasn’t quite a success story.
After the election, Bush asked Willcox to serve as his communications director, which position she gladly accepted. However, just a few months later, she was diagnosed with cancer, forcing her to resign from her position. Bush, who had not been at all concerned with the length of time that he had been wife-occupied, hired a new chief of staff to take over the duties of Willcox’s position, explaining that he felt that she deserved a break from her role as a political confidante. Willcox refused the offer, stating that she wanted to pursue cancer treatment and fighting her disease, which she has done successfully. Following her diagnosis, Bush asked her to stand for the presidential nomination on the convention floor, but she refused again, this time citing an earlier instance in which she had declined an offer to become campaign co-chair of his presidential bid.