By Sarah Light, staff writer

Because he alone doesn&8217;t have all the answers to the problems ailing this country, U.S. Republican Sen. Norm Coleman said Saturday that he makes an effort to travel around the state and tap into the different opinions and creativity found here.

Then, at the end of each day, he asks himself if the decisions he makes as a U.S. senator are creating opportunity and leaving this nation&8217;s citizens with hope for tomorrow.

During a brief lunch at Trumble&8217;s Restaurant in Albert Lea, Coleman gave his supporters &8212; and a few of his opponents &8212; an update on some of the hot policies and issues taking place in Washington right now and answered a few questions posed by attendees.

He said he was thrilled to be in Albert Lea with former state Rep. Dan Dorman and shook hands with many in attendance.

He started his comments by sharing briefly about his father, who passed away three months ago.

Coleman said his father was a part of a generation who grew up in war, went through the Holocaust and saw the end of Communism. However, despite all that he and that generation went through and all they sacrificed, they came back with a deep optimism for this country, Coleman said.

&8220;Our challenge is to pass that on,&8221; he said.

Because of that and other reasons, he said he considers himself to be an optimistic person who believes that part of his job is to see if he can fix any problems that might be occurring.

One of these problems is health care.

He said the single biggest issue he hears everyday is about health care.

&8220;We live in a country where I believe everyone could have the access to health care,&8221; he said.

How that could be achieved is where he and his Democratic opponents differ, Coleman said.

&8220;I have a deep, profound belief that in the end I just don&8217;t want the government controlling my health care,&8221; he said.

He pledged to work with his colleagues to find some common ground, which he says is possible.

On the issue of immigration, Coleman said while it is always a challenge to secure this country&8217;s borders, &8220;we are doing a better job &8212; the problem is, nobody believes it.&8221;

Throughout his remarks, the senator was met with debate from a few audience members. And in the end, he said he would have to respectfully disagree with their opinions.

&8220;I don&8217;t have all the answers, and I can&8217;t claim to know all the answers,&8221; he said.

He did not make a statement regarding the Iraq War.

Before returning to the road, Coleman made time for a hot beef sandwich.