Before the cameras go live, and before most delegates arrive, the evening's speakers practice. Here, actress Glenn Close rehearses her presentation on women in government. She was determining where the state delegations were sitting so that when she mentioned a state, she could look at the delegation from that state.

The delegates begin arriving by bus around an hour before the convention starts and pass through the security checkpoint. They wouldn't allow me to take pictures of the process. But between you and me it involves passing through a metal detector while someone searches your bags.

Meanwhile, back stage, producers, reporters, stagehands move about.

On the first floor, banks of talk show hosts interview party officials who move from one show to another.

Including former MPR host Katherine Lanpher, who now does a program in New York with comedian Al Franken, right.

Garrison Keillor signs autographs of his book, which were given away to all Minnesota delegates.

The view a Minnesota delegate will have of the podium.

Radio and TV reporters who want to interview delegates, must wait for "rotating passes." There are a limited number, good for just 20 minutes.

High above the convention, credentialed bloggers tap away.

While three blocks away, near Fanueil Hall, Buddhists pray for peace.