A bit of a different take on the eternal civil war debate; offer up an opinion the Jarls that make up your respective faction (If you are an Imperial supporter, only offer an opinion on Imperial Jarls, Stormcloaks the same for Stormcloak Jarls).

As a Legate in the Ordo Legionis, my opinion on the Imperial Jarls.

Jarl Elisif: Young, inexperienced and recently widowed. With proper mentoring, she could make for a kind and just ruler.
Jarl Igmund: Of all the Imperial Jarls, there is none that I loathe more than Igmund. I would afford him the opportunity to resign and go into exile, far away from Skyrim, then replace him with someone more suitable. In Markath.. not an easy task.
Jarl Maven Black-Briar: I've heard the rumours. Who wasn't? Influential and powerful.. but I don't trust her as far as I can throw her. I would oppose her being Jarl in the hopes that I can convince Laila Law-Giver to claim the title once more, as she appears much more reasonable all things considered.
Jarl Brina Merilis - A veteran officer with the people's welfare on her mind. In time, she will prove to be a fine Jarl.
Jarl Igrod Ravencrone - An interesting one. Distant at face value, but seems to have her people's interests at heart.
Jarl Balgruuf the Greater - No better candidate than Balgruuf to the Jarlship of Whiterun. Needs to make a pilgrimage to High Hrothgrar one more time though.
Jarl Brunwulf Free-winter - Capable enough, though his position is undeniably a difficult one. Regardless of competency, support will be required, all things considered.
Jarl Siddgeir - A lazy good for nothing, vain individual. Whilst not enough the kind of response Igmund and Maven deserve, if the steward of Falkreath can't make a man of him, then there are better options for the people of that hold.
Jarl Kraldar - Inexperienced, but is possessing a relationship with the College of Winterhold, which is of itself valuable moving forward even if the hold of Winterhold isn't valuable in of itself.

The problem with Law-giver is that she does nothing to suggest she'd help the hold out, she is in Maven's pocket like the entire hold is also Winterhold could still end up valuable if the new Jarl uses the college as a way of attracting magic-based businesses and mages from all over Tamriel.

There's not really anything to suggest that she's in Maven's pocket. Her situation is similar to that of Igmund's. Except Laila is actually likable enough that I feel sorry for seeing her disposed.

Elisif is worthless, Siddgeir is corrupt and Maven is an evil b****. However, all others are great and fair jarls, often more open minded than their Stormcloak counterparts, namely Korir (Winterhold) who teaches his son that all elves are bad.

Too be fair we haven't seen how good of a leader Elisif would turn out, she could still be trained to turn into a good leader.

I agree with everything in the OP, actually.

She also would need to grow some balls. Well, you know what I mean. General Tullius tells her to shut up in Season Unending and she actually does it.

Like you said though, we don't know if she could be a good leader. Right now though? She is absolutely failing in my eyes. She could I guess be groomed into a leader, but does Skyrim have that kind of time?