BostonGlobe.com Political Headlines - August 1, 2012

Here are the top POLITICAL headlines from BostonGlobe.com today:

• Patrick to sign crime bill, calls it imperfect: Governor Patrick, under intense pressure from police and victims' relatives, said that he would sign legislation that removes the possibility of parole for certain repeat offenders. Political reporter Michael Levenson reports.

• In a twist, Romney lauds Israeli health care system: The Republican raised eyebrows by praising a system that has more government control than the Obama health law Romney so strenuously faults. Political reporter Matt Viser explains. 

• Climate change takes back seat on campaign trail: Political analysts say both President Obama and presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney carry baggage on the issue and would rather avoid the topic. Political reporter Bobby Caina Calvan writes.

• Mitt Romney, in op-ed, doubles down on comments about culture: Mitt Romney on Tuesday night doubled down on his argument that "culture" has played a role in making certain societies more prosperous, comments that ignited a firestorm of controversy while he was in the Middle East. Political reporter Matt Viser writes.