Seperation of Church and State doesn't exist if the people don't want it to

Long title is long. But necessarily. I was reading a poll about certain aspects of a person that would affect a person's vote for president from 2007.

95% of Americans would vote for a Catholic. 45% would vote for an atheist. 53% would NOT vote for an atheist.

This raises the question of why. Are atheists inherently unable to fulfill the duties of the president? They might have trouble leading the nation's mandatory morning prayer and becoming a Catholic deacon so they can concelebrate a weekly Mass with all of the country's citizens invited. However, they would have no trouble taking care of war and foreign policy due to their religious lack of beliefs. Atheists can still work on health care reform, raising or lowering taxes, improving the highway system, et al.

The poll seems to suggest that people don't really want a separation of Church and State. Don't think an Amendment to the Constitution will be passed any time soon which revokes the religious portion of the First Amendment, but don't expect a non-Christian in the White House. And if you do, expect someone who believes in a god, such as a Jew. A de facto shunning of atheists as prominent politicians will exist as long as people consider their religion to be a major issue.

But then, what happens if Americans are faced with a decision between a clearly poor incumbent president whose approval ratings are below 20% and an atheist who seems to have solid views and a great plan for America? Would the people then decide to overlook the fact that the president might omit "under God" when he says the Pledge of Allegiance in order to vote for a better candidate?