According to Harding biographer and former White House Counsel John Dean, Harding's 'civic influence was that of an activist who used his editorial page to effectively keep his nose—and a prodding voice—in all the town's public business'. To date, Harding is the only U.S. president to have had journalism experience. She has been credited with helping Harding achieve more than he might have alone; some have suggested that she pushed him all the way to the White House. When Harding joined the U.S. Senate, the Democrats controlled both houses of Congress, and were led by President Wilson.