Populist Party: Omaha Platform

Generally, a political party platform targets two audiences: the membership of the party and the general electorate. The Omaha Platform contains points and goals specifically tailored to members of the party and the party's supporters, such as the statement backing the Knights of Labor. To this extent, the platform is a list of the main grievances and criticisms that the Populists leveled at the government and the two dominant parties. It also contains remedies popular with the many minor political parties, unions, and agricultural groups that backed the party at the time. As noted, these points represented the will of the party convention.

The Omaha Platform also tried to appeal more broadly to American voters. Central to this effort were the calls for an expanded role of government in the economy. A growing number of working Americans sought protection from harsh working and living conditions. In addition, the document backed a variety of political reforms that had broad appeal. These included the aforementioned support for the direct election of senators and the expanded use of referendums.

Although the Omaha Platform was considered radical at the time, it was not as extreme as that of another alternative grouping, the Socialist Labor Party. That party also called for the establishment of an eight-hour work day but had some truly drastic policies, including a call for the abolition of the offices of president and vice president.

The Populist Omaha Platform backed some proposals that were contained in the Democratic Party platform, while others echoed themes in the Republican manifesto. For instance, like the Democrats, Populists recommended expansion of the nation's money supply, a policy opposed by Republicans. However, like the Republicans, Populists backed calls for protectionism, tariffs and other policies to shield American companies and businesses. Also, like Republicans, Populists endorsed limits on immigration. Democrats opposed both of these policies (although Democrats did support restrictions on Chinese immigration). Donnelly wanted the party to remain true to its roots but also to have some appeal to the broader electorate in order to help the Populists win office.