If Obama waived his salary, he would set a dangerous precedent, that Americans should expect the same of future presidents.

But don't we want to entertain at least the theoretical possibility that someone who needs an annual salary could still become president?

Better, if John Dickerson will make a charitable donation of the same percentage of his personal wealth, each of the next four years, as the presidential salary is to Obama's wealth (perhaps a higher % than you first thought, JD?), then Obama could follow Dickerson's example.

I totally agree. And I believe the Framers extensively debated this topic, believing it important that the President and Congressmen have respectable salaries.

I don't know that Barak Obama must take a salary. It is just that he is entitled to it and should take it. Suggestions otherwise are just Republican trouble making (as though they are capable of anything else).