One surprise guest at Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s meeting with Manhattan Democratic party leaders last night — Gov. David Paterson.

Paterson, who appointed Gillibrand to the senate gig in January 2009, spoke briefly to the meeting in support of his pick, telling people she was “adapting,” in the words of one attendee, to serving a larger region than her congressional district. She was elected to the 20th congressional district in 2006.

Paterson aides stoppd a Post reporter from asking him questions on his way out – hours after his dismal fundraising numbers were released.

Paterson, at the time of his senate pick, said privately that he needed to choose a woman to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton – in no small measure because of his own re-election needs. Now, he’s battling to survive, and she’s facing the first threat that hasn’t been beaten back for her by Democratic brass.