Many people forget that it is a Civil war. They believe it is Nords vs Imperials, that pushing out the Imperials is what Nords want. Except fail to realise more than half of the 'Imperial' soldiers you see walking around are Nords. The Legion does not seek occupation, after the battle for Whiterun the Legionnaires leave, their only goal was to defend not control. Ulfric himself forced Whiterun to support the Empire.
Funny how Ulfric likes to talk of the moot in his speech, but only once he controls it and has the Jarls on a leash.
Galmar: "I still say you should take them all out like you did Deadking Torygg."
Ulfric: "Torygg was merely a message to the other Jarls. Whoever we replace them with will need the support of our armies."
He is saying there that the Jarls will need his army to rule, if they go against him in the moot they will lose the support of his army. Ulfric is the one holding back the Moot until his army controls the land.
Galmar: "The Jarls are upset. They don't all support you."
Ulfric: "Damn the Jarls."
Galmar: "They demand the Moot."
Ulfric: "And damn the Moot! We should risk letting those milkdrinkers put Torygg's woman on the throne?
She'll hand Skyrim over to the elves on a silver plate."
Damn the Moot he says... which is an ancient Nordic tradition, doesn't he fight to bring back Nordic tradition and try to pretend he is using the moot.
Ulfric: "But more than that, it was you who fought for Skyrim, for our right to fight our own battles... To return to our glory and traditions, to determine our own future!"
Ulfric: "And it is for these reasons that I cannot accept the mantle of "High King." Not until the Moot declares that title should adorn my shoulders will I accept it."
Ulfric: "How'd I do?"
Galmar: "Eh, not so bad. Nice touch about the High King."
Ulfric: "Thank you, I thought so, too."
Galmar: "It's a foregone conclusion, you know."
Ulfric: "Oh, I know."
Ulfric only cares about tradition when it suits him.