Patlin said:Also, reading the thread and the rules text it is my personal conclusion that the phrase "Once per day, a paladin may attempt to smite evil with one normal melee attack" is refering to a type of action/unit of time. Therefore, it overrides the normal state of affairs of supernatural abilities being a standard action, and allows smiting as part of a full attack action or charge.
That's my interpretation too. As I see it, using the smite power does not involve taking an extra action (in addition to the melee attack), but rather changing the nature of the melee attack action itself. Therefore, the length of time comes from the basic action.