Answer: it attempted to weaken political influence exerted by the leaders of the established National parties.
Explanation: Populist party nominated candidates based on merit.
The answer would be: D) It has interpreted equal protection as applying to different groups of people.
The Equal Protection clause is the last part of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the USA:
<em>"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." </em>
Hope this answer helps you:)!
