Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush had to ask his audience to clap during a speech at a campaign stop in New Hampshire on Tuesday.

Bush had just finished talking about how he would protect the country as commander in chief, The New York Times reported.

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"I think the next president needs to be a lot quieter, but send a signal that we're prepared to act in the national security interests of this country to get back in business of creating a more peaceful world," he said.

The audience responded with silence.

"Please clap," Bush then said, in a quieter tone, and the crowd laughed and obliged.

Bush is in fifth, with 9.8 percent support, behind Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE, Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzLoeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Health care in the crosshairs with new Trump Supreme Court list 'Parks and Rec' cast members hosting special reunion to raise money for Wisconsin Democrats MORE, John Kasich and Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioHillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal MORE in the RealClearPolitics average of polls in New Hampshire.

But recent polls have shown him making gains. Bush is in second place in New Hampshire, according to a Harper Polling survey released Wednesday, behind Trump. Trump holds a 17-point lead over Bush in that poll, with 31 percent support to 14.