doesn't Obama's activity with ACORN count?
I joke
Let's see.... *opening Obama file*
in his past... Obama went to Columbia University to major in political science - to be specific - an international relations and also went to Harvard law school... where he was the editor and president of Harvard Law Review. He worked for Business International Corporation, New York Public Interest Research Group, Public Allies, Developing Communities Project, etc. etc. (all related to fighting for "the people"). His Chicago job was impressive for a community leader... did a stint as professor of Chicago law school. and he became Illinois legislator... and then Senator.
That's pretty active enough for me, don't you agree?