Advocate advertising is nothing new. In the early 70's the bus companies banded together to kill Amtrak. They took out full page ads in DC papers and I think the New York Times that offered to send each member of Congress a toy train set. All they had to do was ask for it.

The banner read 'If Congress wants a train to play with they can have this one!'

The goal was to cut off all funding to Amtrak which was taking away business from the bus lines.