Not really...in fact, your Wiki link shows that he feels differently than that.
"Sunstein's views on animal rights generated controversy when his appointment to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs by Obama was blocked by Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). Chambliss objected to the introduction of Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions, a volume edited by Sunstein and his then-partner Martha Nussbaum. On page 11 of the introduction, during a philosophical discussion about the source of animal rights under the law, Sunstein notes that personhood need not be conferred upon an animal in order to grand it legal standing for suit. Instead, Sunstein hypothesizes, animals could be granted "the right to bring suit" while represented by an attorney. For example, under current law, if someone saw their neighbor beating a dog, they currently cannot bring suit for animal cruelty because they do not have legal standing to do so. Sunstein suggests that granting standing to animals, actionable by other parties, could decrease animal cruelty by increasing the likelihood that animal abuse will be punished. However, nowhere in the introduction does Sunstein propose doing so: the discussion on page 11 is merely an exploration of the philosophical dimensions and formal sources of animal rights."
Fish on...
Todd
Sure, GWB didnt 'propose' going to war, it was just philosophical exploration, until he did.
I suppose that his book "Nudge" is all hypothetical as well?
Nudge discusses how public and private organizations can help people make better choices in their daily lives.
Point being, if these are the guys feelings on these topics, enough to write them in published books, I don't see where he would be opposed to such actions nor do I want someone that puts these types of "philosophical explorations" on paper to head up the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs... seriously, its not these topics are unrelated to the position.
From where I am sitting, the guy reeks of an elitist sheepherder mantality, but if you guys like him, to each his own.