His eyes welled with emotion as he talked about his daughters. "Their future is literally under attack by those who believe that government is for those who govern and not for the people."
Regarding Lewis? "He's a hero, he stood up" for civil rights. But "there's a difference between a leader and uh, uh," he cast about for the right words before finding them, "a community organizer."
Fenn sees the role of a politician this way: A leader sees a problem, assesses the situation, finds a solution and implements it.
That differs fundamentally from his view of a community organizer, who implements a plan he or she has been given by someone else.
Fenn's argues that, instead of representing the 5th district of Congress, Lewis is implementing the agenda of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Recently endorsed by the Rev. James Butler, who marched with Lewis and King on the bridge, Fenn recounted visiting Butler's congregation, the St. John AME Church. "They have 80 percent unemployment. Nobody's hiring, they need jobs," he said. The problem: "Nobody has taught them how to succeed." They need a leader.
Fenn thinks Lewis has had plenty of time to lead and serve his constituents. At 80 percent unemployment, something is not working; it's time for a change.
The following story offers a glimpse into what makes this election unusual and what may make Fenn's win possible, if not probable.
While pounding a "Fenn Little for Congress" sign into a yard on West Wesley Road in Atlanta's affluent northside, Fenn heard a honk.
"Whose sign is it?" the African-American female cabdriver asked.
"Mine, Fenn Little, I'm running for Congress," he replied.
"You running against John Lewis?"
"Yes."
"Someone needs to run against him," She said, "How can I help?"
Once again, it's about the economy, and more specifically, jobs, jobs, jobs.
Maybe, Fenn can win in 2010.