DONALD TRUMP

Jeb Bush Asks N.H. Audience to ‘Please Clap'

Speaking about how he'd lead the United States military as president, Jeb Bush put his leadership skills to the test, imploring an audience in New Hampshire for a round of applause as he pushes for a big showing in the state's primary election next week.

Bush, whose father and brother have both been president, was saying at a Hanover meeting that he would "have the back of the military" as commander-in-chief, and wouldn't be "blow-hardin', talking a big game without backing it up."

He wound up by saying: "I think the next president needs to be a lot quieter, but sending a signal that we're prepared to act in the national security interests of this country to get back in the business of creating a more peaceful world."

And when the audience didn't react, he added, "Please clap," breaking into a wry smile when the crowd obliged.

Bush will need all the support he can get in the Feb. 9 New Hampshire primary, where the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll puts him in fifth place among Republicans, with just 8 percent of likely Republican voters and 10 percent of the party's potential electorate.

Bush is trailing Donald Trump and Marco Rubio in the polls despite receiving over $31 million in the campaign so far, more than either of those candidates, according to Federal Election Commission filings. He also trails Ted Cruz, whose $47-million campaign was boosted by victory in the Iowa caucuses this week, and John Kasich.

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