The message-test poll was critical of Romney, his faith and the Vietnam War-era military deferments he received while serving as a missionary in France. The callers also made statements strongly supporting fellow Republican John McCain — an attempt to make it appear the Arizona senator was behind the calls.

McCain's campaign immediately called on the attorney general to investigate and decried the effort to besmirch him. Aides suggested the calls were designed to embarrass the Arizona senator.

Among the questions was whether a resident knew that Romney's five sons did not serve in the military, that his faith did not accept blacks as bishops into the 1970s and that Mormons believe the Book of Mormon is superior to the Bible.

Romney's campaign vigorously denied it was involved, saying the calls were reprehensible.

Romney supporters also suggested the calls came from McCain or Rudy Giuliani. The former New York mayor's consultant, the Tarrance Group, has used Western Wats in past campaigns.

The Giuliani campaign has paid the firm more than $400,000, according to federal campaign reports. Western Wats also worked for Bob Dole's presidential campaign in 1996. Employees said they used such calls to describe rival Steve Forbes as pro-abortion rights.

Western Wats said it was not conducting the calls on behalf of Giuliani or anyone affiliated with his campaign.

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Contributing: Catherine Smith, Deseret Morning News