Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, opens the Democratic National Convention in Denver today.

Jack Gray
AC360° Associate Producer

To borrow from an old line: There is nothing like a calm afternoon in Denver. And this is nothing like a calm afternoon in Denver. Like moths to a flame, delegates, politicians, journalists and demonstrators have descended on the Colorado capital in full force. Inside the fortified security perimeter, on the second floor of the CNN Grill, which I’m sure you’ve seen by now, Anderson and our team are preparing for this evening’s coverage. We’re focused on two key events: ailing Senator Edward Kennedy’s tentative, highly anticipated, appearance—a guaranteed DNC showstopper if there ever was one—and Michelle Obama’s speech. And in between research, discussion and eating granola bars we ponder whether angry Hillary Clinton supporters will attempt to bring the convention to its knees through procedural chaos later in the week.

Meantime, as we await the opening gavel, the scene inside and outside of the Pepsi Center is anything but dull. The Secret Service, as well as state and local police are everywhere. And they mean business. I’ve already been screamed at once, but I won’t bore you with that story. Frantic DNC staff and volunteers buzz about like they’ve had too much Sudafed. Delegates mob Anderson wherever we go. I try to wave them away, telling them that Wolf Blitzer is down the hall letting the Florida delegation braid his beard, but they are undeterred. Sam Donaldson and his hair walk by, presumably to interview Joe Biden and his hair. Ah, good times. And it’s only day one.