Got a workaround:
1. via ftp rename the swift-framework plugin folder from “swift-framework” to “!swift-framework” this is to “hard” disable it.
2. delete cardinal v2.08 via ftp. downloaded cardinal v2.06 and uploaded it to /wp-content/themes folder.
3. found a backup of the database from before i upgraded to cardinal v2.08. copy from the old database the contents of wp_options table, sf_cardinal_options row, option_value cell
4. paste the old sf_cardinal_options data into the cell of the current database.
TLDR revert back to cardinal 2.06, disable swift-framework plugin, override the 2.08 options in the database with 2.06 options from a backup.
confirmed working for me.