If these clever fellows like Howard Wolfson had any guts they'd come to the Gillibrand camp with a viable solution to create debate. 
All the hemming and hawing about tax returns could easily be countered by asking the Congressman what is the specific law that requires me to pay income tax ? While typically relegated to the ethereal realm of conspiracy, Aaron Russo's new documantary, America:From Freedom to Fascism is now available on Google Video. It features former IRS agents and commissioners giving accounts about the notion that no single law was ever passed by Congress requiring an individual to surrender their income. Of course, individuals invested in the system or fearful of it's wrath would never take such a bold step. It would stop the impasse in this instance because the ramifications would be far wider than the current spat.
Ron Paul's appearance in this video is unique. He admits that whatever the reality of written law, the government has the guns and will enforce what it feels it is entitled to. 
I suspect that even if the idea behind this documanetary is true, the American people would do little about it. The fear that their credit or home could be taken away is too great. This the reason for a compliant media and no real choice of candidates in most US races. Libertarians and Greens are consistently the only voice of opposition. Of course I'd say the libertarians are the only party capable of reason . . .