In Fargo, 2 political gatherings held mere blocks and a universe apart

Democrats sat stunned, staring at their smartphones. Republicans issued muted, almost disbelieving cheers every timethey claimed another state.

That's how a shocking U.S. election night unfolded in Fargo, N.D., where Democrats and Republicans held a pair of "victory parties"about five blocks and an emotional universe away from each other.

The Democratic-NPL that's the name of the party in North Dakota held a gathering in the Radisson Hotel's third-floor ballroom, where floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto a pedestrian-devoid stretch of downtown Fargo.

The mood was optimistic until states won by Barack Obama in 2012 started flipping over to Donald Trump. Theboos finally materialized when the bellwether state of Florida fell to the Republicans, a defeat that signalled there would not bea Hillary Clinton victory of any sort on Tuesday.

"The failure of the American educational system is profound and this Trump thing proves it," said Marc Decelle, a middle-aged marketer dressed in a cream-coloured blazer.

"You heartheracism. Youhearthe bigotry. It appeals to the base instincts of people," addedMarvin Nelson, the failed Democratic-NPLcandidate in North Dakota'sgubernatorial race.

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Nelson lost by a large margin to RepublicanDougBurgum, a software magnate and philanthropist,in a governor's race left wide open by the retirement of six-yearGOP governor JackDalrymple.

His supporters gathered inside Fargo's Sanctuary Events Centre, where Republicans laughed and shared drinks and confided theyreally didn't expect the night to end with Trump poised to succeedObamaas U.S. president.

"I washoping he would, but I justthoughtthe odds were against him," said SteveVarty, aWilliston, N.D. resident wearing an American-flag T-shirt.

Sara Rose, aPerham,Minn. Republican, said she expects Trump to moderate hisapproachnow that he's been elected and suggested it may have been something of an act.

"I think some of his tone mayhavebeento get viewers, to get, you know, the public's interest and attention. The media obviously fed off hispersonanegative,positive,what have you," she said.

These Democrats and Republicans made their comments late in the evening, hours before Clinton's early-morning concession to Trump.

The Republicans had something to cheer about much earlier in North Dakota, asBurgumdefeated Nelson in a lopsided gubernatorial thatwas called 25 minutes after the polls closed in North Dakota.

Burgum walked on stage to the strains of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's Takin' Care of Business and promptly addressed the divisive "craziness" of the 2016 U.S. election campaign.

"Frustration has drowned outcivildiscourse and respectful dialogue," he said, urging all Americans to come together and look forward in the weeks and months to come. "Wecan choose to let fear fall away and imagine our very best selves."

Burgum declined interview requests but promised a Wednesday press conference. Manitobans may be curious to learn how he intends to continue to promote cross-border trade while the president-elect has pledged to cancel NAFTA.

"That could happen. I don't know that I agree with all of his plans as far as trade or foreign policy," said Trump supporter Rose. "But I think he potentially has some great ideas that could definitely work. So, sorry Canadians."