predetermine

“I believe it’s also an important principle that the speaker not predetermine the outcome of that, or dictate objectives or benchmarks,” he told reporters.

“What I did say is that is wrong if she doesn’t. She needs to recuse herself if you predetermine an outcome.”

It’s a necessary cautionary safeguard, because big plays in training-camp scrimmages, going against a Seahawks defense whose prowess is very much in doubt, does not necessarily predetermine a barrage of big plays when they play for real.

He also said Ukraine must be prepared to accept Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, which would effectively predetermine the outcome of any future negotiated settlement.

He refused to give an answer, to bind himself to one reality or the other, to predetermine what his successful path could be instead of living presently.