Bush calls Obama to congratulate him on win

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Tuesday called Democrat Barack Obama to congratulate him on winning the presidential election, the White House said, adding that Bush invited him and his family to visit to the White House soon.

"You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself," Bush said to Obama according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Obama will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. president on January 20, 2009.

Bush, whose job approval ratings have been at record lows, spent little time on the campaign trail with Obama's opponent Republican candidate John McCain as a result. He watched election returns with friends and staff at the White House.

Bush also called McCain after his concession speech to praise his campaign, Perino said.

"John, you gave it your all. I'm proud of you, and I'm sorry it didn't work out," Bush said according to Perino. Bush plans to give a statement on the election on Wednesday at 10:40 a.m. in the Rose Garden, she said.

Vice President Dick Cheney called Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, to congratulate him, his spokeswoman Lea Anne Foster said. He also was trying to reach McCain's running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky, editing by Jackie Frank)