The backlash from establishment Republicans against the looming possibility of a Donald Trump nomination continues. Doug Heye, a former communications director for the Republican National Committee, penned a blistering piece at conservative site Independent Journal Review, with a very simple title: “As a Republican Operative, Here’s Why I Won’t Support Trump If He Is The Nominee.”

So what exactly would Heye do, instead?

In the piece, Heye says Trump is both a charlatan posing as a conservative — and a dangerous demagogue who would put the nation and, indeed, the world in peril:

A supporter and donor to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a candidate who has called for single payer universal healthcare, and flippantly confuses their position on abortion is no conservative and has no business being the stalwart of the Republican Party. Nominating him could cause an existential danger for the party.

Similarly, a candidate whose rhetoric has rightfully drawn comparison to extremist candidates in foreign countries, including Marine Le Pen in France, and earned criticism from our staunchest allies, while gaining praise from worldwide menace Vladimir Putin, and who cannot name military advisors other than those he watches on television, is dangerous to the United States and the world at a time when the world is at risk.

Heye warned that even nominating Trump would pose a hazard to America’s prestige: “His having the legitimacy that comes with the nomination of a major political party would cause greater instability throughout the world at a time when the world looks to America for leadership that is serious and sober.”

And to cap it off, Heye seemingly hinted at a potential third-party effort by mainstream Republicans. Pay close attention here:

As a longtime conservative Republican campaign and Congressional aide, and former official of the Republican National Committee, not voting for the Republican nominee is an unimaginable scenario. But for the sake of my party and indeed, my country, while I will certainly vote for some Republican in November, if Trump is the nominee, I cannot vote for my party’s nominee.

Notice what Heye said: He will “certainly vote for some Republican in November” — though it might not actually be the Republican nominee.

Photo: Doug Heye, via Facebook.