By Azi Paybarah

May 23, 2007 | 8:38 a.m.

So, what's the significance behind David Paterson's major fund-raiser last night at the Penn Club on West 44th Street, where the minimum contribution requested was $500?

The money raised is for his new committee, Paterson for New York.

Which tends to indicate, once again, that his energies aren't exactly being directed towards ensuring a long and prosperous future at Eliot Spitzer's side.

“It leaves the door open for possibilities. He’s not in any particular race right now,” Paterson’s spokeswoman Maritere Arce said.

Or, as Doug Muzzio told me: “Clearly, David Paterson does not want to end his political career as Lieutenant Governor.”