User blog comment:Spritydove/Deeper Thought into the Civil War/@comment-24.127.149.128-20120714023416/@comment-5135631-20120726142658

I understand that, it's just while he wants to keep his hold safe which is obviously admirable, he is not truly neutral. If he was, then Whiterun would be listed in White, not Red, on Skyrim's war maps. If he was neutral, bards in his city would leave out songs on the civil war alltogether rather than play pro-Imperial songs. If he was neutral, then he would have done something about Thorald Gray-Manes abduction, perhaps in secret e.g. hiring skilled Mercenaries. If he was truly neutral then his soldiers and guards wouldn't cry out "For the legion!/You dare disrespect the legion?" in combat. The only argument for him being truly neutral is that he keeps Imperial Soldiers out of Whiterun until the last minute, and that's to make sure he doesn't portray martial law, and while this seems a kind thing to do, it may just be he wants to keep his back safe.

I'm don't really think Balgruuf is a coward, but it's a possibility. I respect him a lot, but if people can call Ulfric power-hungry for desiring his rightful place as High King, then what's to say Balgruuf couldn't be considered a coward?