legal status for illegal immigrant children, the so-called dreamers. and his public pledge to help the president in doing so. >> it is time to provide an opportunity for legal residents and citizenship for those who are brought to this country as children and who know no other home. >> reporter: cantor is considered one of the most conservative members of the house gop leadership but he had been thinking like a party leader trying to broaden the gop's appeal. after the government shutdown that divided house republicans cnn learned he admonished rank and file to unite. >> you addressed your caucus and basically said, come on, guys, we have to stop eating our own. >> well, i think the message that i was about was saying, look, the differences that may exist between us pale in comparison to the differences that we have with the president and his policies. >> reporter: now, cantor can deckically still try to run for a seat as a write-in candidate but i'm told it's highly