The problem with that statement is we ALREADY have young men and women in harms way. And because our force in place is not large enough to handle the mission, they are at greater risk of harm.
Try to take a lesson from recent history. Things were swinging out of control in Iraq. At odds with popular opinion, we sent a large contingent of reinforcements - a surge. Within a couple months U.S. casualties dropped from close to 100 a month to averaging under 20 a month, and has stayed that way.
Strategically and tactically, the PROPER response to the problem of military being overwhelmed is to reinforce the military so they are no longer overwhelmed. This stabilizes the situation so that other means (diplomacy, etc.) can be brought to bear without uncontrolled violent insurgency upsetting the apple cart every time we get it on its wheels.
Obama is obviously more concerned with the political ramification - for himself and the democratic party - than he is with the actual situation in Afghanistan. His military advisers, those on the ground and those at home, are ALL calling for more troops. His ambassador is calling for more troops. And, in response, he "does not like any of their options" - because all of them are politically unpopular with democrats.