From 1978 until 1989, Ed Koch served three terms as mayor of New York City, which he led from fiscal insolvency to economic boom. He had a charge straight-ahead style. and seemed to care less about polls and more about getting the job done.
With his recent death, Lucy Marcus reflected on his leadership style and political wisdom: http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130203111715-60894986-10-leadership-nuggets-from-mayor-ed-koch