This perception promoted by both Parties that a Third Party candidate cannot win is false. If given the choice of two Liberals and one Conservative, especially in the economic times we're in, I'm choosing the Conservative. Unlike Democrats, I will remain true to my beliefs versus remaining true to a political party.
Remember your history. In 1860, a Third Party candidate became a President. The President was Lincoln and the Third Party was the Republican Party.
One scenario which seems possible given the dynamics is no one candidate would gain the required 270 Electoral votes. That being the case, the election would be turned over to a Republican controlled House.
That’s not really true. The Whigs had been long since expired when Lincoln was elected.