SALEM - Presidential candidate Bill Richardson faced some tough questions last night when he stopped by a local house party.

A 92-year-old woman asked what he planned to do about the wasteful spending that has cut into Social Security.

A physician in the audience challenged him to provide specifics on a universal health care program and offered to provide his staff with the details of her own suggestion.

About 50 people gathered at the home of Salem Democrats member Beth Roth to meet the governor of New Mexico. Richardson spent about an hour with the crowd, outlining his plan for the presidency and answering questions.

"This is how I campaign," Richardson said. "I don't come in for big rallies and leave."

Richardson outlined his first six days in the White House if elected, briefly addressing the war in Iraq, energy consumption, education and health insurance.

But the abbreviated stump speech was not enough for some voters, who pressed him for specific details.

Freda Smith, 79, of Salem held up her father's citizenship certificate and questioned Richardson on illegal immigration.

"My father came the right way," said Smith, whose father emigrated legally from Poland. "Let them come the right way."

Looking tired but at ease, Richardson answered Smith's question and others put to him, jumping a bit from subject to subject and joking with the crowd. He said he planned to attend as many house parties as possible, especially in New Hampshire.

"You test people, you scrutinize us. You look in our eyes," Richardson said. "I like the tough questions."

Many of the people present said they did not know who they will vote for in the primary next year. But as the afternoon came to a close, it was clear that Richardson had held the attention of his audience.

"He's down to earth, sincere and genuine," Smith said. "I like a lot of what he had to say, but my big concern remains immigration."

Lynne Snierson of Salem, a student of politics, said she has been researching the candidates and seeing them speak as often as possible. Snierson said she already has her field narrowed down to two candidates: Barack Obama and Richardson.

"The more I see of him, the more I like him," Snierson said of Richardson. "His qualifications are spectacular."

Richardson served as secretary of energy and ambassador to the United Nations under President Clinton. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times and is serving his second term as governor of New Mexico.

Roth, who invited Richardson to her home, has also hosted other candidates, including John Edwards.

"The media just looks at the top (candidates)," Roth said. "We need to get to know everyone in the field."

She said she plans on hosting more candidates as the year goes on.

"The good news about the Democrats is everyone in the field is qualified," Roth said.

Hampstead Middle School teacher Katie Wolff questioned Richardson about the federal No Child Left Behind Act and extended an invitation to visit her eighth-grade history class.

"It's good to appreciate the first-in-the-nation primary and an opportunity to meet the candidates and ask the tough questions," Wolff said.

Ann Spires, the doctor from Haverhill who challenged Richardson to consider a single-provider plan for universal health insurance, said she plans to attend as many house parties as she can.

"It's a good way to figure out who the candidates are and get a better idea of their platform, or if they have one," Spires said. "I don't always vote 'Democrat' but in this field, I'll be able to find someone to vote for."