"There's nothing in the middle of the road but a yellow stripe and dead armadillos"

This quote by Jim Hightower is a metaphor for the concept that taking a moderate position on a concern is not a viable choice. The yellow stripe in the middle of the road is a recommendation to the center lane, which is typically seen as a safe location to be. Nevertheless, Hightower is recommending that this is not the case. Rather, the middle of the roadway is a hazardous place, filled with dead armadillos. This is a metaphor for the idea that taking a moderate position on a problem can be simply as harmful as taking a strong stance. By taking a moderate stance, one is not taking a stance at all, and therefore is not making any progress. Hightower is suggesting that it is much better to take a strong position on a problem, even if it is out of favor, than to take a moderate stance and make no development.