'True Nords' are stuck somewhere in Atmora, and little is known about them, except that it's believed that conflict getting out of hand/wars made them flee from Atmora in the first place.
Anyway, even though I'm a bit late, time for some good old Stormcloak-Jarl bashing.
Let's start with Skald; very open about his allegiance to the Stormcloaks, and not liked as a ruler. Even argues with his own staff over and over again. Lookie here:
Skald: "Madena, can we count on your spells to assist us in this war? The Empire is bound to bring their battlemages against us."
Madena: "I told you before, Skald, I have no interest in taking sides in this war. I've no desire to be killed."
Skald: "What good is a court mage if she refuses to fight? Where's your sense of duty?"
Madena: "When I came here, my only duties were to cure crop diseases and occasionally light a bonfire on holidays. I didn't sign up to kill."
Skald: "Fine, but this isn't over Madena. We'll talk again."
Jod: "My Jarl, I have concerns about the safety of Dawnstar."
Skald: "Safety? Don't I have you to handle the town's safety? What is this about, Jod?"
Jod: "You keep pledging more and more of our guard to the frontlines. The way this is going, we won't be able to defend our own borders."
Skald: "Nonsense. The best place for our men is driving the Imperials back. I will ensure that men from Dawnstar get every opportunity for glory."
Jod: "Glory is meaningless if they have no home to return to. I urge you to lower our commitments to the front until I'm sure we're safe."
Skald: "I won't have you rob our soldiers of their chance to drive out the Empire. I'm done discussing this, Jod."
Skald: "We are poised for glory, Jod. The Empire will never take Dawnstar while every last man, woman, and child here draws breathe!"
Jod: "With respect, Jarl. You can't ask everyone to throw themselves against trained Legionnaires. Let's leave the fighting to the Stormcloaks."
Skald: "You're right. Why dilute the glory with too many souls fighting over it? We'll drive out the Empire and be celebrated as heroes when we win."
Jod: "If we win. This war is going to drag on for years. I can feel it. We need to prepare for a long struggle ahead."
Skald: "Enough of your dire predictions! We will talk about this another time."
If you read at least the last two dialogues above and still think he's a wise leader then you really shouldn't be nagging at Mede's decision to leave the Imperial City behind. Now, since I mentioned "not liked as a ruler" up there, I guess I'll throw up some dialogue from the people in Dawnstar:
That would be Jarl Skald the Elder. He's over in the White Hall, probably talking about Ulfric like he's the second coming of Talos. -Beitild
That would be Skald the Elder. He's been running Dawnstar ever since he was a boy, and he never lost that brat's attitude. Turned on the Empire first chance he got. Now we're all part of this rebellion. -Leigelf
Pfft. I'm the oldest woman in Dawnstar. Was here when the Skald the Elder was Skald the Younger. He's a fool, if you haven't met him already. Thinks Ulfric Stormcloak is invincible and spits dragon fire. The people here look to Brina Merilis when they need things settled. Real firebrand going up. Wasn't surprised when she joined the Legion. -Frida
Oh, it's just wonderful being Skald's servant. He's not demanding in the least. -Bulfrek
The Jarl is... tired. Be mindful of that. -Jod
All in all, it doesn't speak of maturity for Skald. Why isn't someone challenging him? Guess that chick who replaces him once the Empire takes over is just too nice, bleh... anyway, next is Laila Law-Giver. That woman has been efficiently manipulated by Maven and Anuriel, who is a member of her staff. To make it short, she has absolutely no clue what's going on. It's surprising she even decided to take a side in the war, or bother going for Ulfric's side. Only explanation I have would be that Riften is too close to Windhelm and she feared losing her throne; this remains pure speculation though. Some dialogue for your entertainment:
Laila: "Anuriel, a word please."
Anuriel: "Yes, my lady?"
Laila: "It's been brought to my attention that the poison known as skooma may be present in our city. What do you know of this?"
Anuriel: "I believe it to be a falsehood perpetrated by the Empire in order to weaken the citizen's confidence in your ability to rule."
Laila: "Excellent, then they'll be no need to devote any resources to stopping it. Thank you, Anuriel. That will be all."
Laila: "Harrald, I have need of you."
Harrald: "Yes mother? What is it?"
Laila: "This situation with the sewers beneath the city. I hear people have entered this place and have gone missing. Do you know of this?"
Harrald: "Yes, I've heard such things. Anuriel assures me they're just fabrications and there's nothing down there save a few stray skeever."
Laila: "Well, make sure we keep the patrols out night and day, just to be certain."
Laila: "Maven! Always a pleasure to receive you. What can I help you with today?"
Maven: "Thank you, Laila. I wanted to discuss the protection of my shipments." OR "I'm certain you're aware of the loss I sustained a fortnight ago."
Laila: "Yes, indeed. An entire caravan shipment of your mead taken by Imperial soldiers. What of it?"
Maven: "Well, I'm also certain you're aware that our own city guard failed to provide the protection required to ensure safe passage of the shipment."
Laila: "Indeed. We lost three soldiers in that attack. A sad day for Riften."
Maven: "I have payments to make you realize. If I can't make them, I can't make Black-Briar Mead." OR "Quite. To be brief, I need compensation for the lost shipment. Since Riften was responsible for it, Riften should pay for it."
Laila: "We... don't have enough to..."
Maven: "Laila, Riften is my home, but if my meadery can't be safe here, I'll just move it elsewhere."
Laila: "No, that won't be necessary. You'll have compensation for your loss."
Maven: "Thank you, Laila."
I checked for more dialogue about her but obviously even her people could care less about her, and her steward and bodyguard are too occupied with their affair I'm afraid. It's surprising Maven didn't just have her killed instead of waiting for the Legion to arrive first.
Last but not least, Korir from Winterhold. Mocking mages and elves and badmouthing them whenever he can, but has one as steward which everyone is afraid of just because he's a dark elf so they believe he has connections to the College. He also believes a fancy circlet improves Winterhold's prestige. He also encourages his son to play "Hunt the Elf". He's also adamant about who caused the Great Collapse, look here:
Few will admit it, but we know the truth about the Great Collapse.
The College is the worst thing that's ever happened to Winterhold, maybe to Skyrim.
Those cursed mages... It's their fault Winterhold is gone.
Stay clear of that College, if you know what's good for you. Nothing but foul deeds behind those walls.
Some dialogue:
Thaena: "That... wizard is still at the Inn. I can't believe Dagur allows him to stay there."
Korir: "This is what it's come to. No one seems to care what they've done to our home."
Thaena: "It's clear that memories are far too short."
Korir: "And it's clear money matters more to Dagur than honor."
And I won't even start with Ulfric. His Jarl-fail-level is off the chart.
But if the people above sound like good rulers to you, and you agree that Skyrim deserves them, then you're definitely better off as Stormcloak.