(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY MALLORY PERRYMAN

GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul says he can fix the federal budget blues-- And he can do it-- in three years.

It’s a plan being hailed in the media as bold-- whether for better or for worse.

HLN has the details.

“GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul said he would slash $1 trillion from the federal budget and that's just in the first year in office. Paul says he would wipe out departments of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Interior, Education, and the TSA. And says he would end all foreign wars.”

The libertarian congressman also says-- he’d trim the president’s annual salary to the average American’s salary- about $39,000. Overall-- the federal workforce would be cut by 10 percent.

But CNN’s Gloria Borger points out-- while Paul’s scissors may be sharp-- some big-budget items appear to have been spared.

Gloria Borger: “Once you look at the details, people are going to start raising questions about it. One other thing, he doesn't touch Social Security or, guess what, Medicare. And those, even to this Libertarian, seem to be sort of sacred cows, wouldn't you say, in an election year?”

Even without touching Social Security and Medicare-- a blogger for the conservative American Thinker says-- big and bold is just what the GOP needs, saying voters want...

“...one conservative candidate with the guts to proclaim that the federal government needs more than handyman work; it needs an overhaul...”

So far the plan hasn’t generated as much as media buzz as Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 plan. In fact-- a new study shows Paul has had a hard time grabbing headlines in general.

That study out of the Pew Research Center found out of all the major candidates-- Paul has received the least amount of news coverage.

A blogger for NPR says-- this bold budget plan may change that-- but attention comes with a price tag.

“While Paul is likely to get a fresh blast of attention from many Republican voters intrigued by what is indisputably a bold idea, he's also likely to face serious criticisms, too.”

Fox News’ Neil Cavuto explored one of those serious criticisms-- major cuts to to the FDA-- with an analyst on his show. That analyst says-- Paul has some questions to answer- but at least he’s putting ideas out there.

Gretchen Hamel (Public Notice): “You put a proposal out in like this, a very bold proposal, you have to take the criticism...FLASH.... One good thing, it will force his other competitors out there for this presidential primary to come out with a plan, to not just talk about cutting waste, fraud and abuse but to actually have some strong, bold proposals.”

Paul says he will reveal more details about his plan in the CNN/Western Republican Leadership Conference debate Tuesday night.