Focus groups conducted in January suggest that, although Iraqis continued to have an optimistic view toward their country’s democracy, they had significant grievances about the lack of job opportunities and services that they expected from the government. Iraqis continued to question the self-interested motives of the political elites and pointed to administrative corruption and government appointments as prime examples of politicians putting their own interests ahead of the people’s. Nonetheless, participants were encouraged by the formation of the new government and voiced some patience toward the government’s efforts to address these top-of-mind concerns, though the demonstrations may have tempered the level of patience.