Bush, after defeat, invites Democrats to lunch

WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) U S President George W Bush, aiming to emphasize bipartisanship after a strong rebuke in U S elections, called top congressional Democrats today to congratulate them and to invite them to lunch.

In a show of discontent with the Iraq war and Bush's leadership, Democrats pushed the president's Republican Party from power in the U S House of Representatives and were on the brink of taking control of the U S Senate.

Bush, facing his first Democratic-controlled House since taking office, called incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, in addition to several Republican leaders, said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Perino described the call with Pelosi as ''very friendly'' and said Bush pledged to work with Democrats. ''He congratulated her on their wins,'' Perino said.

Pelosi and Hoyer were invited to the White House for lunch on Thursday.

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