Jon Christian Ryter, in a recent article for newswithviews.com  made a statement that I have heard many times in many different ways:    http://www.newswithviews.com/Ryter/jon282.htm
 
"No third party candidate in US politics enters a presidential race with illusions that they can win. Because they can't. That's why its called a "two-party system." Third party candidates are "scrapbook candidates." They are in the race for two reasons. First, so they can tell their grandchildren they were once candidates for President of the United States. And, finally, if they are party affiliated, they are seeking matching funds so they can continue chasing windmills in the next election cycle.
 
"Before the Election of 2008 I communicated with hundreds of conservative supporters of lost causes, urging them to vote for John McCain not because I thought McCain was an acceptable presidential candidate, but solely because [a] as a major party candidate, with enough support, he could win; and because he wasn't as bad as the alternative. Anyone with a reasonable mind knew that."
 
 
A bit of searching turned up disagreement by some eminent persons. 
 
John Quincy Adams said, "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
 
Hyrum Smith: We engage in the election the same as in any other principle: you are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this it is a sin: to vote for wicked men, it would be sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles have preyed upon us like wolves upon helpless lambs. (History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.15, p. 323.)

Joseph Smith: We shall have the satisfaction of knowing we have acted conscientiously and have used our best judgment, and if we have to throw away our votes, we had better do so upon a worthy rather than an unworthy individual who might make use of the weapon we put in his hand to destroy us! (Comprehensive History of the Church 2:208-209.)

"Moroni knew that you cannot compromise with evil. If you do, evil always wins." Ezra Taft Benson"May we be wiseprayerfully wisein the electing of those who would lead us. May we select only those who understand and will adhere to constitutional principles. To do so, we need to understand these principles ourselves." . .  Ezra Taft Benson
 
"There will be two great political parties in this country. One will be called the Republican, and the other the Democrat party. These two parties will go to war and out of these two parties will spring another party which will be the Independent American Party." (Joseph Smith, according to Mosiah Hancock)
 
And I guess that according to Ryter I do not have a reasonable mind.