Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) Walks Away from Interview After 'Ridiculous and Inappropriate' Questions About Gay Rumors

Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) was questioned by radio host Michelangelo Signorile last week about persisting rumors that he's gay and what his anti-gay votes might mean in that context, Signorile reports at HuffPost:

Asked on the floor of the RNC in an interview for my SiriusXM OutQ radio program to respond to those who’ve believed that Schock is gay and also view his vote against “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal as a vote against members of his own group, Schock responded, “Those questions are completely ridiculous and inappropriate.” He added, when asked if he is confirming that he is not gay, “I’ve said that before and I don’t think it’s worthy of further response. I think you can look it up.” Schock then walked off, abruptly ending the interview.

On why he voted against DADT repeal, Schock said: “I took the advice of military experts that came before Congress. I think that’s why you have John McCain and others who have a military background. Adam Kinzinger is a close personal friend of mine who’s an active duty member of Congress [in the district] next door to me and so I think that’s why you saw the consistency.”

Schock appeared uninformed when asked last week about marriage equality lawsuits in his home state and expressed disagreement with Obama's decision to not defend DOMA in court.

Schock, who has been accused of misusing campaign funds to further an exercise habit, flaunted the results of that regimen in a Men's Health cover story last May.

Many of the gay rumors surrounding Schock seem to be tied to his obsessive attention to his body, as well as that of other Republican congressmen. In June 2010, a photo of Schock at a White House picnic in white jeans, an aqua belt, and purple gingham shirt posted by Gawker (above) sent the gay rumors into overdrive. Schock later tweeted that he "burned the belt" after the photo went viral.

GOP to 'Bracket' Dem Convention with anti-Obama Message

While Romney rests in Vermont and prepares for three upcoming debates against President Obama, the Republican Party and Paul Ryan plan a response to the Democratic message that will be resonating out of Charlotte this week, Reuters reports:

The Romney campaign indicated in a press release that the Republicans would "bracket" the convention with a new emphasis on the question: "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"

In the release, a Romney campaign official kicked off the week's counter-messaging with a blistering attack, saying that at the Democratic convention, Obama "is going to give us a series of excuses, alibis and scapegoats."

"Every president since the Great Depression, except Jimmy Carter and President Obama, who asked for a second term could look back at the last four years and say: "you are better off than you were four years ago," the official said.

Ryan, the Republican nominee to be vice president, will hold a campaign event in the same state in Greenville.

Obama is scheduled to give his speech on Thursday, outdoors, at the Bank of America stadium. Though there are contingency plans to move the event to Time Warner Cable Arena in case of rain, "DNC officials said at a Monday press conference that the event will go forward rain or shine, unless severe weather raises safety concerns."

Massive Great White Shark Washes Ashore in New England: VIDEO

A 13-foot Great White Shark weighing 1600 pounds washed ashore at a beach on the border of Rhode Island and Massachusetts over the weekend. Officials have not yet determined why the shark died. Nearby South Shore and Goosewing Beaches were closed as a precaution.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Nine Anti-Gay Street Preachers Arrested at New Orleans Southern Decadence Celebration: VIDEO

Nine men have been arrested for anti-gay street preaching against celebrants at New Orleans' annual Southern Decadence weekend, the Times Picayune reports:

Patrick O'Connell, 45, Rolando Igleasias, 31, Cesar Chavez, 22, Daniel Hoogerhuis, 26, Danny Guevera, 20, Larry Craft, 52, Montes Diego, 32 and Gary Brown, 33 were arrested on suspicion of aggressive solicitation, a city law passed last October.

The ordinance prohibits "any person or group of persons to loiter or congregate on Bourbon Street for the purpose of disseminating any social, political or religious message between the hours of sunset and sunrise."

Another man was arrested for attempting to assault an officer.

New Orleans police spokesman Frank Robertson said the men were previously warned not to use bullhorns, but did not comply. Casey Kolosky, a bouncer at Tropical Isle, said the preachers were making slurs against gays and also mentioned Hurricane Katrina victims.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...