This is relatively big news for three reasons:

1. Cantor wants Boehner's job so for as long as he was the whip, he was careful to not offend hardcore representatives. Cantor's position should be close to the maximum deal that Republicans can accept.

2. Because he has tea party challenger for his primary - which not coincidentally is set for tomorrow- Cantor had adopted a pretty hardcore anti-immigration stance.

Saying one day before the primary that he's willing to compromise is the beginning of Cantor pivoting to deal making once the primary is over. He also probably feels that he ll win, otherwise, he wouldn't dare say anything.

3. The article says that the President is willing to compromise based on what House Republicans give him. That's also cause for optimism if you aren't married to the Senate reform bill which is politically dead right now. And it's cause for optimism because any kind of compromise will have to be even further to the left in order to satisfy House conservatives. This may mean for example, that the road to citizenship may not be in the final deal, although hopefully will have a ton of relief in other ways.

That's important, because choosing a pragmatic compromise is one of Obama's options. The other is to refuse a deal and blame failure on Republicans. So, as long as he doesn't choose the latter and he doesn't draw a line in the sand, some sort of a deal may emerge although obviously far from ideal.

I d still take it, because it's better than nothing.