That's word for word exactly my point,
"No doubt General Tullius and his friends in the Empire will tell you that I owe them my loyalty, and perhaps I do." then after the battle he claimed "And what then? We need the Empire, as much as it needs us. We Nords are the Empire! Our blood built it. Our blood sustains it!" just like he retorts at Vignar, a convenient position to hold now, but why didn't you state that before you actually chose a side, that's a big opinion to have and just ignore like that.
He made up his mind, and sticks by it strongly. Exactly my original point.
"Following the White-Gold Concordat, which Balgruuf had no influence in negotiating, he was purportedly given chests of gold and told to accept the terms. However, he continued worshipping Talos privately, and according to Nelkir, hated the Thalmor as passionately as the Stormcloaks."
The Empire would not have sent chests of gold to one Jarl. If they did, then good on Balgruuf for making the Empire pay up.
Again:
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Balgruuf_the_Greater
"Both the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Legion sought to gain Balgruuf as an ally, as Whiterun was prosperous, influential, and strategically located The latter in particular allegedly made a great effort to obtain Balgruuf's loyalty. "
and as you can tell, Tulius is clearly getting on his nerves
"Oh, yes? I wonder what that old busybody wants now. Whatever it is, it will have to wait until after I've finished dealing with this dragon situation."
"No doubt requesting to garrison his men in my castle. How many times must I deny him? Well? Out with it."
So the Legion goes to great efforts to secure Whiterun and Balgruuf's loyalty. While Ulfric and the Stormcloaks sat around with their thumb up their arses, going "He'll come around".
Are you making a case for the Stormcloaks, or showing how the Legion is doing whatever it takes to achieve victory?
Yes... many Stormcloaks
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Balgruuf_the_Greater
"Following the White-Gold Concordat, which Balgruuf had no influence in negotiating, he was purportedly given chests of gold and told to accept the terms. However, he continued worshipping Talos privately, and according to Nelkir, hated the Thalmor as passionately as the Stormcloaks."
Except many Imperial supporters also worship Talos, and indeed hate the Thalmor passionately.
Because he doesn't just "dislike" Ulfric like he "dislikes" Elisif. He abhors Ulfric with a fiery passion. That gives him as much reason as any to walk away from the cause and think about it.
Balgruuf claimed to be neutral, saying he was only "on the side of Whiterun". He refused to allow the Legion to garrison troops in the city, and he refused to acknowledge Ulfric's claim to the position of High King. - http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Balgruuf_the_Greater
There is so much to suggest that that your post doesn't even seem remotely in reality
No there isn't, there is only one piece of dialogue from Gerdur in which she also says she would find it hard to believe he would do that.
I just explained it to you in full, The Stormcloaks present the side that appeals to him in every single way except for the fact that they want Ulfric on the throne. When Ulfric finally challenged his honor it pushed him immediately on the side of the Empire.
Tullius also despised the Thalmor, and believed the Stormcloak Rebellion was a mere interlude in the Empire's real conflict with the Aldmeri Dominion, even going so far as to remark that they almost made him want to throw in with the Stormcloaks. - http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Tullius
The Stormcloaks appeal to several who fight for the Empire... Now if Balgruuf hated Ulfric deeply, enough to side against him for the sake of it. Why give the Stormcloaks an equal chance? You're not explaining that. Why would a man who hates Ulfric, give
Ulfric's rebellion,
Ulfric's cause and
Ulfric's army which is
named after Ulfric a chance?
I don't see your reasoning. He hates Ulfric, but he's not speaking badly about him until he sides with the Empire. Yet you used that as evidence as to why he hates Ulfric, but doesn't hate the Stormcloaks whom are sworn to Ulfric, created by Ulfric, and do Ulfric's bidding.
Except for the fact they want Ulfric on the throne... You're right, because that is merely tyranny. He would be forced to vote for Ulfric, because Ulfric and the Stormcloaks won't take no for an answer. He doesn't have to vote for Elisif, her fate remains uncertain under Imperial rule.
Replacing one oppression with another. He had no say for the White-Gold Concordat, he'd have no say under the Stormcloaks. Keeping the status quo is logical.
"We will do whatever I decide is in the best interests of Skyrim. Are we clear?" - Ulfric Stormcloak
"Yes, my lord." - Galmar/Vignar
"Ulfric has made it clear. In his mind, to refuse his claim is to side with the Empire."