This.
Ulfric may have his flaws, but in a time of war there likely isn’t a more experienced and capable warlord- the kind of leader the alliance would need its members to be if it were to go toe-to-toe with the Dominion. I have a hard time envisioning him not getting buddy-buddy with Hammerfell if he manages to seize Skyrim.
As much flak as it gets, I think Bethesda did a phenomenal job making this a tough and controversial choice. Both sides have their merits and flaws.
I have a very hard time not going Breton. They’re a jack of all trades and their magic resist is hard not to pick.
It also doesn’t hurt that a lot of the other racials are pretty useless and most of the rest are easily replaceable. Kajit claw damage is a notable exception for unarmed playthroughs (though that also is pretty niche), and there’s just… something about playing a Nord in Skyrim.