I believe he did brush it off...and it was only a couple od seconds...after which he went on to repeat the core values we support. Like I have said, I also believe it was a mistake. Cantor should have answered on principle ands used the opportunity to nail the post into the ground that those principle we stand for are worth ensuring that the new President fail should he try and attack them directly.
But to characterize the intire interview by that one set-up question is just that...a set up by the drive bys.