President Bush ducks flying shoes at weird press conference

Say what you will about President Bush, one thing's for sure:  He's got good reflexes.

It's not often that objects are thrown at a president.  Sure, maybe a sharp verbal jab from a frustrated reporter - but a shoe?  Or two shoes?

Final trip to Iraq

No, it wasn't Helen Thomas.  This exchange occurred in Baghdad today when Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki were holding a joint press conference.

The reporter - Muntazer al-Zaidi from Al-Baghdadia (a television network in Cairo) - yelled, "This is the farewell kiss, you dog" then threw his shoes at the President.

The Matrix

Bush, to his credit, was almost like Keanu Reeves in "The Matrix" when he successfully dodged two shoes.

Security guards toppled the irate reporter immediately, and he was quickly removed from the area.

How'd Bush respond?  With humor.

"It doesn't bother me. If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw," joked the President.

Click here to read the full story on the President's trip today to Baghdad by Monitor correspondent Jane Arraf.