secular politics

yesterday, i read an article in vanity fair by christopher hitchens. his new book has been out a while, but i haven't read it or even about it. but the article was an interesting take on reaction to the book, which basically, if my interpretation is correct, presents an atheist viewpoint against religion in general. conservatives, in a "know-thine-enemy" move, have propelled it to great success apparently. but anyways, the article talks about religion and politics, mentioning mitt romney, al sharpton and several other names. at the end, he writes something like (but much more eloquently, i'm sure) - one day there will be a presidential candidate who says he's not a man of faith, and there will be no major repercussions. it immediately struck me because it seems so hopeful, and i don't view hitchens as hopeful. still, it got me thinking - could it happen? in this country, where religion and politics are so hypocritically entwined, could we actually not care if a national candidate said he had no faith whatsoever?