Either way re-posting the same crappy ad so soon doesn't make sense. If it worked the first time around, why would they feel the need to re-post it? On the other hand if it didn't work, why would anyone expect an unchanged re-post to fare any better?
They are doing a startup. They are 110% focused on their startup and only their startup. They exist. You don't exist unless you can help them. They need help, so they'll stand on the side of the HN highway with their poorly written cardboard sign every day until Woz 2011 emails them to work for minimum wage + large empty option grant.
It's exciting. Not only is it exciting -- it's pure excitement. They live on concentrated adrenaline, weekly beans, user stats, and the approval of their other startup peers.
It even has its own entry in Axis II of the DSM IV.
Also, OP is definitely helping them spread the word ;)