Future Leader

Is it realistic to think there is a chance that an athiest would ever win office? I've been thinking about it and im not sure. With so much controversy about Mitt Romney being a mormon, how big would the controversy be over an athiest? As my name implies I plan to eventually become a future leader in American politics, and as an athiest this issue is important to me.

Is thier something that a religious person has that an athiest doesnt? Should a President rely on a 'god' rather than himself and his people? Is thier some comfort in the idea that if someone is religious they are some how more moral and trustworthly? I don't know, but it seems to me with 60% of Americans believeing in creationism that any athiest that attempts to run for public office would shot down.

There is constant talk of racial, religious, and gender equality in America but if this true then would religious people bring thier religion with them in the voting booths? I know people do this all the time, but is it wrong? It's clear that America has accepted race and gender equality (Barrack and Hillary's success), but even a non-christian like Mitt was hassled for his beliefs even though they played no part in his politics.

Also there is another thing in which I don't understand, if there is such thing as 'separation of church and state' then why would religion even matter?