What does the phrase middle of the road in politics mean?

This is an expression for someone who is a moderate, someone whose views are in no way extreme. It sometimes refers to a person who prefers to remain neutral, or someone who tries to see both sides and then takes the best of both. Political scientists have noted that there are fewer politicians today whose views are middle-of-the-road. Most have staked out one specific ideological position and they do not deviate from it.