But Street says don't be blinded by mere politics.

"This was not just an endorsement. What you have here is a very different kind of commitment," Street said.

To carry out his pledge to devote new resources to improving neighborhoods, Street says he'll need a retooled criminal justice system. The alliance with Abraham is a key part of making that happen.

Standing with Street on a vacant lot near 10th and Indiana, Abraham said Street "has impressed me with his sincere commitment to help get my office into the 21st Century, to give me the equipment, the tools, the technology, the money to run the office in an effective way."

Street likened his new partnership with Abraham to the one he developed with Mayor Rendell, a link that has brought seven years of relatively successful municipal government.

"You are going to see a new dynamic in crime fighting in this city, I promise you," said Street who pledged to increase funding for the DA's office and to be out in the neighborhoods with her regularly if he's elected.

There's irony in much of this because it was Council that turned down Abraham pleas for more money, year after year, though Street said his job was to get Rendell's budgets through Council.

The timing of Abraham's stamp of approval created a strange political coincidence.

Councilman Michael Nutter, who has warred with Abraham over budgets and philosophy for several years, noted, "I think it's very interesting and I wonder what kind of deal they cut."

The endorsement comes just two days after Abraham cleared Street after a three-month investigation into an allegation raised by Nutter and Council colleague Marian Tasco regarding the city lease of property from a Street campaign contributor. Abraham called the allegation a "wild goose chase."

During the same period, Street and Abraham held an undisclosed number of meetings to talk politics and policy. She recalled Street asking her to become his partner. "It was heartfelt and genuine," she said.

The endorsement, she said, wasn't finalized until several weeks ago. After a two-week vacation in Europe, she said she will be available to campaign for Street, if he wants.

Though she had her best success in getting new funding from the city last spring, Rendell and Council in March 1998 rejected much of Abraham's final funding requests.

Abraham said at the time that Council had dissed her because she had come out against Judge Frederica Massiah-Jackson's proposed appointment to the federal bench.

In response, Street disputed that, noting that she had been ineffective in dealing with Council members and that she had been "frankly disrespectful" to a member of Council, namely Nutter.

But yesterday, Street said, "I have never had a negative relationship with the District Attorney." And Abraham said, "Don't blame John Street."

Her beef, she said, was with some unnamed members of Council who treated her like a "dishrag," which she added, "I won't take anymore."

As for Katz, Abraham said, "I like Sam. We've been friends for a very long time. He's a good man, but I've come to a fork in the road."

Responding to the Abraham endorsement, Katz said that if Street is serious about fighting crime, he'd promise to reappoint Police Commissioner John F. Timoney.

"How can you make public safety a priority if you're not willing to commit yourself to reappointing John Timoney?" Katz asked, after delivering a luncheon talk at the Union League. To claim that it would be a distraction to the campaign to make such a commitment is nonsense."

On that subject Street said, "I've been unabashed in my appreciation for the work that Commissioner Timoney has done, although I will not pledge to keep him on."

Staff Writer Joseph R. Daughen contributed to this report.