'Bush Shoe' flies off the shelves

One week later, Zaidi-mania shows no sign of slowing down. The Turkish company that makes the shoe Muntadar al-Zaidi threw at President Bush has seen demand for the thick-soled model explode:

Baydan has received orders for 300,000 pairs of the shoessince the attack, more than four times the number his companysold each year since the model was introduced in 1999. Thecompany plans to employ 100 more staff to meet demand, he said.

“Model 271” is exported to markets including Iraq, Iran,Syria and Egypt. Customers in Iraq ordered 120,000 pairs thisweek and some Iraqis offered to set up distribution companiesfor the shoe, Baydan said.

They also claim to be in talks with a U.S. distributor.

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