Martin O'Malley smirked?

But when asked when he would announce his campaign, Mr. O’Malley smirked, saying: “I will make a decision this spring.”

Smirked? Doesn't sound like a reporting verb. Of course it's the New York Times and they gave up on reporting long, long ago.

I do like it, though. Reminds me of Smurf. Now I can see O'Malley only in deep blue. I wonder which one he is?