Don't be cynical, American bipartisanship is still possible. Here's how I know.

Don't be cynical, American bipartisanship is still possible. Orin Hatch, Ted Kennedy friendship can be a model for a Congress that can address our problems.

William Doyle is author of Titan of the Senate: Orrin Hatch and the Once and Future Golden Age of Bipartisanship" published by Center Street Books. A 2015-2016 Fulbright Scholar, William Doyle served as director of original programming and executive producer during his seven years at HBO. He is the author, with former U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, of the New York Times bestseller "American Gun: A History of the U.S. in Ten Firearms." His other books include "A Soldier’s Dream: Captain Travis Patriquin and the Awakening of Iraq," "An American Insurrection,"" Inside the Oval Office (a New York Times Notable Book), and "A Mission from God" (with James Meredith). He was co-producer of the PBS special, "Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story," for which he co-wrote the companion book.

On the surface, American politics is paralyzed by vicious ideological combat. Culture wars rage over abortion, guns, education and gender issues. Social media inflames our most partisan passions and hatreds.